Produces high-power batteries from biological viruses

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have announced the use of biological viruses to make lithium-ion batteries. These batteries can provide up to three times more power than regular products.

Lithium - ion Battery (photo: sony.net )

MIT researchers Angela Belcher, Paula Hammond, and Yet-Ming Chiang and their 8-member team have published their findings in the US weekly Science News. The first viral capsules were only about the size of a grain of rice, enough to fit in a hearing aid. If manufactured with conventional battery size, it can be used to operate cars instead of gasoline.

Using a mutant method, the scientists coated the virus with a layer of cobalt oxide and tiny gold particles, and into tiny nanotubes, which became the pin of the cell . Each time a gene is mutated, the virus replicates itself a million times. Each conduit is about 6 nanometers (6 billionths of a meter) wide and 880 nanometers long. These nanotubes can be manufactured under normal pressure and temperature conditions without the need for expensive equipment to create an artificial environment inside the battery. The bottom line in this achievement is that the cobalt and gold particles are transported to and put in place.

This achievement also encountered many obstacles. "I saw the cell phone battery explode ," said Robert Turner, a US scientist . And I also know how genetically modified viruses can survive in harsh environments. It is hard to imagine the virus being present in every home appliance. "

There are also some optimistic opinions, which require only the strongest ' source of this disease ' to be thoroughly tested before they can be applied to life. ' At the same time, its applications will be huge, from small entertainment devices such as mobile phones, personal music players to laptops. 'These kinds of studies are admirable, but they will take a long time to get used to. From time to time, they will build standards and take measures to ensure the safety of users , "said Nate Strokes, a consultant with Abacus Computer.

Hung Hai