Inspired by recent successes at using microbes in fuel cells to produce energy, researchers have devised a bioremediation system that electrically stimulates bacteria to break down toxic chemicals in the environment.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2004/09/4364.jpg?resize=300%2C210&ssl=1)
In a microbial fuel cell, bacteria stick to the surface of an electrode. As the bacteria metabolize organic matter in either sediment (SN: 7/13/02, p. 21: Available to subscribers at Voltage from the Bottom of the Sea: Ooze-dwelling microbes can power electronics) or wastewater (SN: 3/13/04, p. 165: Special Treatment: Fuel cell draws energy from waste), the microorganisms transfer electrons to the electrode, producing a current.