General Discussion

Uncle Joe

(65,192 posts)

15. At some point in the future, nanotechnology will be used.

Sun Jul 20, 2014, 07:43 PM

Jul 2014

On a thread by DeSwiss.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017203745

Electric Bacteria Connect To Form Wires

Full story: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25894

Some bacteria produce hair-like filaments that act as wires, ferrying electrons back and forth between the cells and their environment

Biologists discover electric bacteria that eat pure electrons rather than sugar, redefining the tenacity of life

(snip)

Some intrepid biologists at the University of Southern California (USC) have discovered bacteria that survives on nothing but electricity — rather than food, they eat and excrete pure electrons. These bacteria yet again prove the almost miraculous tenacity of life — but, from a technology standpoint, they might also prove to be useful in enabling the creation of self-powered nanoscale devices that clean up pollution. Some of these bacteria also have the curious ability to form into ‘biocables,’ microbial nanowires that are centimeters long and conduct electricity as well as copper wires — a capability that might one day be tapped to build long, self-assembling subsurface networks for human use.

There is more on the link, including video.

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Solar Freakin' Roadways: a 7 minute long video on just that. It's fascinating. [View all] CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2014 OP

Sounds Great - What About Reliability Of All Those Electrical Contacts - And, Who Will Pay cantbeserious Jul 2014 #1

Good questions, both. Not sure who would pay. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2014 #3

A Great Idea - The Prototype Is Tantalizing - More Development Is Required - New Taxes - Not Likely cantbeserious Jul 2014 #6

At some point in the future, nanotechnology will be used. Uncle Joe Jul 2014 #15

I think they are suggesting private surfaces Enthusiast Jul 2014 #47

On this date we put a man on the moon edhopper Jul 2014 #2

I believe the government is interested in this, so maybe something positive will come from it. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2014 #4

We can only hope. edhopper Jul 2014 #5

Solar driveways in every home!! :) stillwaiting Jul 2014 #7

I really liked that. Plus no ice or snow in the states that get those...Wow. :) n/t CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2014 #8

Freakin' Bullshit Scam To Take People's Money MohRokTah Jul 2014 #9

If it isn't YOUR money, then why does it so concern you? 1monster Jul 2014 #16

Think about it logically. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #17

I did think about it logically and donated. Parking lots are only a part of the program... 1monster Jul 2014 #22

The design already exists. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #36

I would think ongoing maintenance and reliability would be a huge issue. n/t RKP5637 Jul 2014 #51

Absolutely. eom MohRokTah Jul 2014 #52

There's nothing wrong with being concerned about other people being scammed. arcane1 Jul 2014 #28

And that story is false... 1monster Jul 2014 #30

Also false: equating skeptics with "fossil fuel profiteers " arcane1 Jul 2014 #32

By using them in the same sentence, I'm equating them? Yeah, sure. 1monster Jul 2014 #37

Exactly. People are free to waste their money on this idea, and I'm free to say it's a waste. arcane1 Jul 2014 #46

You'd do better placing solar panels alongside riads that already have access to the grid. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #40

What a buzzkill. Enthusiast Jul 2014 #48

Hey, it's science. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #49

Solar Freakin' Roadways, a VERY expensive joke? MohRokTah Jul 2014 #10

Solar Roadways: so stoopid its FUNNY!! MohRokTah Jul 2014 #11

Also highly, highly unlikely. Brickbat Jul 2014 #12

Most of the claimed advantages would only be possible by altering the laws of Physics. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #20

Yep. Brickbat Jul 2014 #25

I really liked that part about no ice on the roads. Autumn Jul 2014 #13

IT would require more energy than the panels themselves could produce. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #18

Expensive, very expensive. toddwv Jul 2014 #14

The panels CANNOT keep the roads from freezing. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #19

? toddwv Jul 2014 #29

They cannot produce enough electricity to keep the roads from freezing. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #31

You have made a number of claims here about how foolish a pursuit this is. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2014 #35

You obviously never viewed the videos I posted. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #38

I took a look at a couple of them. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2014 #39

I know more about it than the inventor and his wife who are pushing the scam. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #41

Why are you hiding your expertise? CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2014 #42

Read the edit. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #43

Thank you. I understand now why you believe what you believe. n/t CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2014 #44

Ther is no belief. There are only facts. eom MohRokTah Jul 2014 #45

Given the resistance to maintaining our existing MineralMan Jul 2014 #21

Unfortunately, my dear MineralMan, I must agree with you. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2014 #23

Well, it may well not be the most practical solar MineralMan Jul 2014 #24

From a strictly scientific standpoint, Solar Freakin' Roads are economically impossible. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #33

Grr. All those damn flashing lights. Rozlee Jul 2014 #26

Not to worry...it's probably not going to happen anytime soon. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2014 #27

Won;t happen at all. eom MohRokTah Jul 2014 #34

Kicked and recommended! Enthusiast Jul 2014 #50

We use to do great things in the US, but I look for another country B Calm Jul 2014 #53