"Breakthrough: Endless Power Generation from Dirt with New Fuel Cell Technology"

1 min read
Source: The Cool Down
"Breakthrough: Endless Power Generation from Dirt with New Fuel Cell Technology"
Photo: The Cool Down
TL;DR

Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a new type of fuel cell that can generate essentially endless electricity from dirt by harnessing the power of microbes living in the soil. This dirt-fueled power source could potentially replace lithium batteries, which pose environmental and human rights concerns. The microbial fuel cells have been shown to power sensors in farming and IoT devices, and the technology could provide a sustainable alternative to traditional batteries, as long as there is organic carbon in the soil for the microbes to break down.

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