Clean up your electronics with ... mud

When you think about electricity, mud is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But deep in wet sediments live cable bacteria - tiny microbes that act like living electrical wires. These bacteria can move electrons over surprisingly long distances, which is unusual and fascinating for such small organisms.

In this talk, we explore how cable bacteria work, why their electrical abilities matter in nature, and how scientists hope to use their biology to inspire cleaner and more sustainable technology. From influencing chemical processes in the soil to providing ideas for biodegradable circuits, cable bacteria show us that electricity doesn’t only flow through wires - it can also flow in unexpected places like mud.

(Photo: Shutterstock)