US Researchers Test Underwater Batteries Powered by Marine Microbes

US researchers test underwater batteries powered by marine microbes

Researchers at Michigan Technological University are developing a microbial fuel cell system that could help underwater sensors stay submerged longer by generating electricity from organic matter already present in seawater. The project is part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s BioLogical Undersea Energy, or BLUE, program, which aims to create self-refueling underwater power systems for long-endurance ocean sensors. Current unde…

Michigan Tech Researchers Develop Self-fueling Marine Battery for DARPA BLUE Program

Michigan Tech faculty are developing a microbe-fueled power supply system that could keep ocean sensors in the water longer with fewer maintenance stops.Underwater sensors need battery power. When the batteries die, somebody has to replace them, which can be expensive and difficult. Michigan Technological University researchers are developing a self-refueling power supply for underwater sensors that converts dissolved organic matter and microsco…