MIT researcher Angela Belcher is working to manipulate viruses--yes, the "make you sick" kind--to assemble nanotechnology materials into electronic devices. Apparently, not only are viruses fast-growing and fairly easy to cultivate (well, we all know that much), but they can also combine with semiconductor and electronic materials. How cool is that?

As a result, they can be manipulated into being little "nanotechnology factories": building batteries, solar cells, transistors, semiconductors--you name it--for use in computers, cell phones, or pretty much anything. Plus, these virus-built batteries and cells are much more eco-friendly (low energy, low waste, biodegradable) than standard electronics, which usually require all manner of toxic chemicals (and large amounts of energy) to assemble.

Want to learn more? The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies has a podcast that describes in detail how viruses make batteries.

In a press release, David Rejeski (director of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Wilson Center) noted that nanotechnology "offers hope for new, ground-breaking solutions to the world's energy problems"--including "overcoming many of the obstacles to a hydrogen-based transportation system based on fuel-cell powered cars and trucks."

Who'd have thought that your cold could contain the keys to a sustainable future?

Post by Katherine Montgomery