Sensitive golden bacteria
2005/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
Live bacteria and an electronic circuit come together to create a moisture sensor. Developed by a researcher at the University of Nebraska, he claims that the sensor is extremely sensitive.
The bacteria introduced in the circuit are coated with gold nanoparticles, which allows the generation of electric current. When the degree of humidity rises, the bacteria swell slightly. As a result, the distance between nanoparticles increases and it is more difficult to carry electric current.
The sensor of bacteria is much more sensitive than any other. In fact, if the humidity drops from 20% to 0%, the electric current increases 40 times, while in a normal sensor it is only 10 times higher. The sensor is therefore particularly suitable in cases where small changes in the dry atmosphere are important.
It should be noted that bacteria survive two days without food, but after death the sensor works the same.
