It seems that what doesn’t kill you can make you greener.  Researchers at Texas A&M University are experimenting with the infamous food-borne bacteria E. coli to see if it can be used as a new renewable energy source.

Thomas Wood, a professor of chemistry at the school, says that specially modified E. coli bacteria can actually produce substantial amounts of hydrogen, something the organisms already produce in trace amounts when they feed upon sugars.  Wood’s specially-bred E. coli pump out more than 140 times the regular amount of hydrogen, which is the key ingredient of fuel cells – an emerging technology that many hope will soon produce the world’s energy without causing pollution.  Currently, most fuel cell technology relies on water for its hydrogen.  The problem is the process of “cracking” hydrogen from water is expensive, thus preventing the widespread adoption of fuel cell technology.   Wood admits that more research is needed to see how viable E. coli can be as a fuel source, but he hopes that one day the bacteria could power appliances, electronics, entire homes and even cars – just make sure you wash your hands after filling up.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.net/rea/news/story?id=51292