In what is claimed to be the first potential applications of synthetic biology, researchers have now shown that viruses, otherwise harmful to humans, can power cars and electronic gadgets.
A team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has revealed that it can genetically engineer viruses to build both the positively and negatively charged ends of a lithium-ion battery, the 'Science' journal reported.
"The new virus-produced batteries have the same energy capacity and power performance as state-of-the-art rechargeable batteries being considered to power plug-in hybrid cars, and they could also be used to power a range of electronic devices," lead researcher Angela Belcher said.
In fact, according to them, the new batteries could be manufactured with a cheap and environmentally benign process -- the synthesis takes place at and below room temperature and requires no harmful organic solvents, and the materials that go into the battery are non-toxic.
