There's big money in science fairs. In fact, at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, students can win $4 million of prizes. A Montreal student, Kartik Madiraju, has found a way to generate a AA battery worth of electricity from the magnetic power of bacteria. In fact, Kartik's bacteria battery lasted for 48 hours straight.
From Wired Magazine:
Magnetotactic or magnetic bacteria have extremely small crystals of magnetite inside their bodies. Only discovered in 1975, these aquatic bacteria are quite common and found in fresh water and saltwater around the world.
A bit of a science whiz kid, Madiraju was browsing through the science journal Nature and happened to see something about magnetic bacteria while trying to think of a project to benefit the environment. "I knew that spinning windmills use a magnetic generator to produce electricity and wondered if I got the magnetic bacteria spinning they might generate a current and be a clean, alternative energy source," he said. (Wired)
16 Year Old Produces Electricity from Magnetic Bacteria
16 Year Old Produces Electricity From Magnetic Bacteria
Trend Themes
1. Magnetic Bacteria Energy - The trend of producing electricity from magnetic bacteria presents opportunities for developing alternative and eco-friendly energy sources using bacteria-powered generators.
2. Youth Innovation - The trend of young innovators, such as Kartik Madiraju, finding unique uses for science presents opportunities for investment in education and research to tap into the creativity of young minds.
3. Science Fair Innovations - The trend of science fair projects leading to innovative breakthroughs presents opportunities for businesses to partner with and invest in science fairs as a means of fostering future talent.
Industry Implications
1. Alternative Energy - The alternative energy industry could benefit from investing in research and development to explore the potential of magnetic bacteria as a source of clean energy.
2. Education - The education industry could benefit from investing in science education that offers opportunities to learn science by experimenting with innovative ideas.
3. Science Fairs - The science fair industry could benefit from cultivating partnerships with businesses and investors to support student innovation, research and development.