
If we told you that your cellphone might eventually be powered by germs, you had probably be grossed out and run away screaming. Though this thought isnt too far-fetched… kind of. MIT is working on a bacteria based fuel cell called BioVolt, which could one day power communication devices. BioVolt batteries are full of grass, sillage, and other cellulose-based material which bacteria just can not resist feasting on. As the bacteria digests their food, they produce an electrochemical reaction which transmits to power. At this point, the BioVolt batteries take about 6 months to charge, though further development will improve this charge time, possibly enough for future commercial use.