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    21st Century Ideas: Forget photovoltaics, here's the massive plant microbial fuel cell.

    Tap power from living plants like your lawn or the park. Wake up, it's been around for a decade.

    Started by: Tsunamipants Raves:2

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    About a decade ago researchers at Wageningen UR Applied Plant Research were able to tap power from living plants. The original abstract can still be found here: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117874685/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 What are we going to do with the redundant solar powerplants? How can we spread our money so that we don't get caught up by leapfrogging technologies?

    Leading experts tell us that we need traditional power sources to bridge the gap to fully developed alternatives. It's not a very popular message within the green movement, but we could deflate all our efforts if we bet on a horse that turns out not to be a winner.

    The link you provided is apparently tied to an account, so all I get is a "session time-out" page. Could you provide some additional information? I'm especially curious about the process and a) whether it's currently viable based on b) efficiencies. Thanks.

    it's about time we conquered the photosynthesis paradigm and recognized that dan nocera, that heretic MIT Chem prof waz right. nobel for you dude. fuel cells up another 2x efficiency next round and more to come.

    @csven It's a long address but here's one: http://www.ete.wur.nl/UK/Research/Renewable+Energy/Green+electricity+production+by+living+plants+in+a+microbial+fuel+cell/

    I think this is an excellent idea, but we need more information on how to implement it. Does it require a ton of manufactured technology to work? How do we get it to regions that have a huge biomass? How easy is it for anyone to convert his or her lawn?




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