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Written by Sandy Berger
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 A group of researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have discovered a way to make algae to create batteries. Yes, we are talking about the green stuff that grows in stagnant water!!
The algae produce a unique type of cellulose. By coating this algae material with a thin layer of conductive polymer, researchers have produced a battery that is lightweight, inexpensive, non-toxic, flexible, thin, and durable. **All from an often unwanted and easy to grow natural material. ** It is truly a WIN-Win situation.
Batteries are not the only thing that algae can create. Exxon Mobile has committed $600 million to algae research. Dow Chemical, the Dept. of Energy, Boeing, and Airbus all have extensive algae research programs.
And there is even a car named Algaeus. It is an algae-fueled Prius that just made a cross country trip. Although there is still much work to be done, along with the Prius battery pack, the Algaeus got 150 miles to the gallon in the city.
Who would have thought that algae might be so important in our "green" future?
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