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The researchers created a bionic mushroom that could one day help illuminate our homes.
In a new study published in the journal Nano Letters On Wednesday, researchers explained how they created the bionic mushroom capable of producing its own electricity.
The researcher of the study, Manu Mannoor, of the Stevens Institute of Technology, and his colleagues created fungi generating electricity by integrating cyanobacteria capable of producing electricity with nanoscale materials capable of collect the current.
Like plants, cyanobacteria, blue-green bacteria, can create their own energy through photosynthesis.
The researchers said that microbes are known in the bioengineering community for their ability to create electricity. Unfortunately, cyanobacteria do not last long because the artificial surfaces used to house them do not allow the bacteria to grow long enough.
In the new study, researchers reported finding properties in the fungus that allow bacteria to survive longer while generating electricity.
Mannoor and his colleagues used a 3D printer to create two types of electronic ink patterns. One contains bacteria and the other, graphene nanoribbons to collect the current. These patterns were then placed on the cap of the mushroom.
Mannoor explained to United States today that they integrated the microbes and the fungus in such a way as to allow the cyanobacteria to produce energy through photosynthesis, while the fungus provides it with adequate shelter.
Sudeep Joshi
/
Stevens Institute of Technology
Mannoor stated that this shelter has moisture and other biophysiological conditions conducive to the sustainable growth of bacteria. The geometry of the mushroom head also provides a lot of sun.
Researchers need to light up the fungus to stimulate photosynthesis in bacteria and start the photocurrent.
The fungus was able to produce a current of about 65 nanoAmps. This may not be powerful enough to power a device, but the researchers said using several of these fungi could generate enough power to turn on an LED.
According to a statement from the Stevens Institute of Technology, this work could pave the way for a non-traditional way of fighting climate change. The researchers also believe that cyanobacteria have a feeding potential for other applications.
"With this work, we can imagine huge opportunities for next-generation bio-hybrid applications," Mannoor said.
"For example, some bacteria can shine, while others detect toxins or produce fuel. By seamlessly integrating these microbes into nanomaterials, we could potentially achieve many other bio-hybrids of amazing designers for the environment, defense, health, and many other areas. "
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