Bacterial nanowires

In microbial fuel cells (MFCs), bacterial nanowires generate electricity via extracellular electron transport to the MFC's anode.[13] Nanowire networks have been shown to enhance the electricity output of MFCs with efficient and long-range conductivity. In particular, pili of Geobacter sulfurreducens possess metallic-like conductivity, producing electricity at levels comparable to those of synthetic metallic nanostructures.[14] When bacterial strains are genetically manipulated to boost nanowire formation, higher electricity yields are generally observed.[15] Coating the nanowires with metal oxides also further promotes electrical conductivity.[16] Additionally, these nanowires can transport electrons up to centimetre-scale distances.[15] Long-range electron transfer via pili networks allows viable cells that are not in direct contact with an anode to contribute to electron flow.[17] Thus, increased current production in MFCs is observed in thicker biofilms.

The currency produced by bacterial nanowires very low. Current density of around 17 microamperes per square centimetre, voltage of around 0.5 volts across a 7-micrometre-thick film.[18]

Bacterial nanowires have been shown to have significant potential applications in the fields of bioenergy and bioremediation.[19] Electron transfer between the pili of Geobacter, a dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium, generates conductivity that drives the conversion of organic compounds to electricity in microbial fuel cells.[20] Biofilms produced by Geobacter colonies contribute greatly to the overall production of bioenergy. They allow the transfer of electrons via conductive pili over a greater distance from the anode.[19] In fact, Bioenergy output can be further enhanced by inducing the expression of additional nanowire genes. Geobacter strains with heightened expression of conductive pili have been shown to produce more conductive biofilms, thus increasing overall electricity output.[20]

Microbial nanowires of Shewanella and Geobacter have also been shown to aid in bioremediation of uranium contaminated groundwater.[21] To demonstrate this, scientists compared and observed the concentration of uranium removed by piliated and nonpiliated strains of Geobacter. Through a series of controlled experiments, they were able to deduce that nanowire present strains were more effective at the mineralization of uranium as compared to nanowire absent mutants.[22]

Further application significance of bacterial nanowires include bioelectronics.[19] With sustainable resources in mind, scientists have proposed the future use of biofilms of Geobacter as a platform for functional under water transistors and supercapacitors, capable of self-renewing energy.[23]

On 20 April 2020 researchers demonstrated a diffusive memristor fabricated from protein nanowires of the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens which functions at substantially lower voltages than the ones previously described and may allow the construction of artificial neurons which function at voltages of biological action potentials. The nanowires have a range of advantages over silicon nanowires and the memristors may be used to directly process biosensing signals, for neuromorphic computing and/or direct communication with biological neurons.[24][25][26]