8 Crazy Futuristic Science Experiments Happening Right Now

7. Bacteria Batteries

As fossil fuels continue to become increasingly dirty words, interest in developing new and better ways to power our society is growing.

As part of this, scientists in the UK are working on a rechargeable battery powered by bacteria. They figured that, whilst solar and wind power are great and all, they're pretty variable. Frankly, it didn't seem fair that people in Britain would be plunged into a post-apocalyptic hunter-gatherer existence after the switch to solar power, on account of never having seen the sun.

On the other hand, bacteria - like diamonds - are forever.

The batteries contain two different microbial systems: one that uses bacteria to form acetate from electricity and one to convert the produced acetate back into electricity. The researchers managed to charge the battery in 16 hours, then discharge it again over the next eight hours, mimicking a typical day-night cycle.