To generate energy from air sounds like a utopian dream at first – until today! Researchers have found out that it is quite possible to obtain energy from it. A device was developed that generates electricity from the humidity of the air. The key element is the so-called “air generator”, which is driven by a bacterial protein that strongly binds water vapour and conducts electricity. In the meantime it has been proven that the generator can also operate devices in a functional manner. The siblings of this technology are the well-known solar cells, thermoelectric devices or mechanical generators. However, there is a major disadvantage in this context: the energy cannot be generated permanently, as the source only occurs periodically.

The discovery of the whole thing was already 30 years ago and has been continuously improved over time. Studies have shown that Geobacter sulfoaducens gains energy through electrical processes. For this purpose, this microbe wires itself to its environment via special proteins. Subsequent studies showed that this effect is based on the strong absorption power of Geobacter proteins against humidity. The researchers have now succeeded in making this effect technically usable. They now see considerable potential in this concept: the technology is environmentally friendly, renewable, cost-effective and can supply energy around the clock. It does not require a particularly high level of humidity: even in desert areas, it is sufficient to produce the saturation gradient in the generator.

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