Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/could-bacteria-be-the-energy-producer-of-the-future Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Could Bacteria Be the Energy Producer of the Future? Science Aug 19, 2011 1:49 PM EDT What if wastewater could be turned into energy? Science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on scientists from Penn State University that are developing microbial fuel cells that could channel energy produced when bacteria breaks down waste into electricity. “The goal is that they’d eventually be able to generate enough electricity to power an entire wastewater treatment plant, maybe even more,” said O’Brien. This is the National Science Foundation’s latest in the Science Nation series.* *For the record, the National Science Foundation is an underwriter of the NewsHour. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now
What if wastewater could be turned into energy? Science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on scientists from Penn State University that are developing microbial fuel cells that could channel energy produced when bacteria breaks down waste into electricity. “The goal is that they’d eventually be able to generate enough electricity to power an entire wastewater treatment plant, maybe even more,” said O’Brien. This is the National Science Foundation’s latest in the Science Nation series.* *For the record, the National Science Foundation is an underwriter of the NewsHour. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now