Viruses could power cars, electronic gadgets

In what is claimed to be the first potential applications of synthetic biology, researchers have now shown that viruses, otherwise harmful to humans, can power cars and electronic gadgets.

A team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has revealed that it can genetically engineer viruses to build both the positively and negatively charged ends of a lithium-ion battery, the 'Science' journal reported.

"The new virus-produced batteries have the same energy capacity and power performance as state-of-the-art rechargeable batteries being considered to power plug-in hybrid cars, and they could also be used to power a range of electronic devices," lead researcher Angela Belcher said.

In fact, according to them, the new batteries could be manufactured with a cheap and environmentally benign process -- the synthesis takes place at and below room temperature and requires no harmful organic solvents, and the materials that go into the battery are non-toxic.