These newly discovered bacteria function on galvanic energy, using a type of internal an electrochemical cell. An electrochemical cell is a device capable of either generating electrical energy from chemical reactions or facilitating chemical reactions through the introduction of electrical energy (something akin to a battery.)
These bacteria are different to any other living thing on Earth. They utilize energy in its purest form (in effect, naked electricity). This is by using electrons harvested from rocks and metals. With the biochemical process, cells make adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that acts as an energy storage unit for almost all living things. Most other organisms use sugar to make energy; in the case of the “electric bacteria” they have simply side-stepped this process.
The types of bacteria that can do this include the genera Shewanella and Geobacter. Shewanella bacteria are a normal component of the surface flora of fish, so are implicated in fish spoilage.Geobacter have an ability to consume oil-based pollutants and radioactive material with carbon dioxide as waste byproduct. They could be used as an anti-pollution counter-measure.
These species have been known about for a few years. However, recently, microbiologists have discovered a lot more. Indeed various researchers around the world have now found upwards of 10 different kinds of bacteria that feed on electricity.
Microbiologists suspect that there are more and various experiments are running in order to entice further species out of rocks and deep from within marine mud. Various methods are being tried, including growing bacteria on battery electrodes. One major study is being led by Kenneth Nealson at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, according to New Scientist. The researchers have shown that some bacteria produce hair-like filaments that act as wires, ferrying electrons back and forth between the cells and their environment.
Some of the recent research is outlined in the video below:
Electric bacteria could have practical uses here on Earth, such as creating biomachines that do useful things like clean up sewage or contaminated groundwater while drawing their own power from their surroundings.
