A group of scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology successfully used a genetically modified virus to construct both the cathode and anode of a lithium-ion battery. The result is a battery that is superior in terms of environmental friendliness--this is in stark contrast to standard lithium-ion batteries, where the anode and cathodes are made of graphite and lithium-ion phosphate respectively. This essentially becomes toxic waste when it is time to dispose of them.

The prototype virus-built battery could be charged and discharged at least 100 times before losing its capacity. While this is significantly lower than the current generation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, these virus-powered batteries are also expected to last longer between charges.

With the increasing popularity of mobile devices such as mobile phones and smartphones, as well as laptops, this technology could well help to dramatically curb a mounting waste disposal problem.

When MIT President Susan Hockfield recently talked to President Obama about the need for funding to advance clean-energy technologies, she gave him a prototype battery created with this technology packaged into the form factor of a coin battery and used to power an LED light. I suppose it is hard to ask for a more symbolic token. Perhaps all rechargeable batteries will be made this way one day.

To read more about this story:
- check out this article from DailyTech
- check out this article from ZDNet

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