Researchers harness engineered viruses to produce electrical energy

Researchers from the US Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have found a way to generate power using harmless viruses that convert mechanical energy into electricity. 

The scientists tested their approach by creating a generator that produces enough current to operate a small liquid crystal display. It works by tapping a finger on a postage stamp sized electrode coated with specially engineered viruses. The viruses convert the force of the tap into an electric charge.