Alternative Energy Source from Seedbed Microbes

The possibility of producing low-cost power system consuming garbage, compost and other waste was revealed by Harvard Assistant Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Peter Girquis. He developed a fuel cell system that operated because of a particular trait of anaerobic bacteria that live and metabolize food in their oxygen-free environments. In the process, the bacteria produce enough electrons that can be harvested to create small electrical current.

Using this technology, energy is generated without burning fossil fuels and without having an impact on the climate. Further studies on the  possible use of the fuel cell technology in large scale energy generation is being studied.  

For details of the press release, see: http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/12.06/11-light.html