Virus-Based Lithium Ion Batteries

Overview

Objectives/Goals This project was done to create fully functional nanowires that could be used as a battery electrode. An objective is that the synthesized nanowires be uniform in structure. Methods/Materials A bacteriophage (a virus that specifically infects bacteria) is used as a template for creating precisely positioned materials. The bacteriophage becomes a template when the functionality of certain proteins are changed through genetic modifications in the M13 bacteriophage's genome. Because of the addition of a tetraglutamate to a specific protein, FePO4 will bind to the phage. The resulting clone is named E4. Results The nanowires formed by binding FePO4 to the E4 phage are more environmentally friendly and less costly to make than existing FePO4 battery components. The FePO4#E4 battery is almost completely biodegradable also. The only part of the battery not biodegradable is the electrolyte. The virus-based batteries could hold any voltage, except that the electrolyte for lithium ion batteries is only stable from approximately 1 volt to 5 volts. The virus-based batteries are also rechargeable, meaning they are not just one use. Conclusions/Discussion These virus-based batteries are both environmentally friendly and economical. They will last longer than other commercially available batteries and help to create less waste for the future. The nanowires can be used to build batteries applicable to most aspects of life requiring a power source.

Awards (1)

• Fourth Place

Competition history

• CSEF 2009 Microbiology · Entry S1711

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

Related projects

Closest projects by meaning, across every fair and year in the corpus.

Browse more like this

• All Microbiology projects
• CSEF Microbiology projects
• Every CSEF 2009 project
• CSEF Fourth Place winners