Using Bacteria to generate Electricity

It may sound like science fiction, but its actually a possibility that is under extensive research at the moment. The bacterium named "Shewanella" has the unique ability to reduce metals and some other compounds. This reduction process requires electrons to be supplied to the material that undergoes reduction. In order to achieve this, The Shewanella bacterium produces electrons and transfers them beyond its cell membrane to the material by secreting certain proteins. Since a flow of electrons is essentially an electric current, this means that this bacterium is capable of producing electricity, in theory at least. Currently research is being conducted to find ways to exploit this unique ability of the Shewanella bacterium to produce a stable source of electricity. If properly developed this can lead to a very effective and environmentally friendly alternate energy source and could give rise to other technologies such as fuel cells of biological origin.

Shewanella  (image from wikipedia)