The search for sustainable and renewable energy sources has been a priority in scientific research in recent decades. Along these lines, a group of Australian scientists from Monash University in Melbourne have made a surprising finding: a bacterial enzyme capable of transforming hydrogen present in the air into electricity.
In this article, we will explore the details of the study published in the journal Nature and the implications of this discovery for sustainable energy.
The discovery of the Huc enzyme
The Monash University researchers discovered the enzyme, which they named Huc, in the bacterium Mycobacterium smegmati, which is commonly found in soil. The enzyme was found using a series of advanced molecular mapping techniques. According to the study, Huc is extremely efficient and can even consume hydrogen below normal atmospheric levels, with as little as 0.00005 percent of the air we breathe.
Huc’s application in sustainable energy
According to the scientists, Huc is “surprisingly stable” and can be used as a small sustainable bacteria-powered battery for small devices. In an interview with LiveScience, the study’s principal investigator, Rhys Grinter, said that “when Huc is provided with more concentrated hydrogen, it produces more electrical current, which means it could be used in fuel cells to power more complex devices, like smartwatches, smartphones, laptops, and possibly even a car.”
Despite the promising possibilities of Huc, there are several challenges facing its use in practice. One of them is the need for a concentrated source of hydrogen to power the enzyme. This means that a source of hydrogen is still needed to produce electricity from Huc, limiting its viability as a fully sustainable energy source. On the other hand, the efficiency of the enzyme has not yet been tested on a large scale, so it is unknown how much electricity it could produce in real situations.
Thinking beyond the Huc enzyme
Beyond the technical details of the study, the discovery of the Huc enzyme is a reminder of the importance of continuing to search for and develop new sources of sustainable energy. Although the practical application of Huc still has some challenges ahead, the fact that scientists have found a way to transform air into electricity is a promising sign that there are yet to be explored possibilities in renewable energy.
The fact that the enzyme has been found in a common bacterium shows how nature can provide us with innovative solutions to the problems we face as a society.
