Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for the first time have been able to genetically engineer viruses to become the anode and cathode of lithium ion batteries. Paving the way for batteries in the future to become virus based. The potential uses for these virus batteries are the same as those for conventional batteries.
In order to become useful the researchers had to engineer the viruses to become charged. The anode viruses were engineered so that they would coat themselves with a layer of cobalt oxide and gold. Further to this, they were also engineered to be self assembling to form nanowires. The cathode viruses are reported to be more difficult to produce as they must be highly conducting. Like the anode viruses, the cathode ones were also engineered to coat themselves with layers of conductive material. The cathode viruses were built to first coat themselves with a layer of iron phosphate and then a layer of carbon nanotubes, creating a network of highly conductive material.
One of the main concerns with genetically manipulating viruses is the possible pathogenic effects that it may pose to humans. However, there is nothing to fear with the viruses that the MIT researchers are using. They are currently using bacteriophages which infect bacteria and are harmless to humans.
At this stage the genetically engineering virus batteries are showing promise with an energy capacity and power performance equalling state-of-the-art rechargeable batteries. One of the main advantages of the virus powered batteries is that the technology used to produce them enables the possibility for them to be flexible and lightweight. The next step for the MIT researchers, now that they have shown that virus powered batteries are a viable energy option is to produce batteries which have higher voltages and capacitance.
References: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Virus-built Battery Could Power Cars, Electronic Devices." ScienceDaily 3 April 2009. 21 April 2009 http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2009/04/090402143501.htm
Davin Huang, 42039596
