Revolutionary Dirt-Powered Fuel Cell Developed by Northwestern University Researchers

The novel technology outperforms similar devices by 120 percent and holds promise for precision agriculture and green infrastructure.

Northwestern University researchers have developed a fuel cell powered by microbes in dirt, offering a sustainable energy alternative to traditional batteries.
The soil-powered technology is ideal for powering underground sensors in precision agriculture and green infrastructure.
The fuel cell's performance exceeded similar technologies by 120 percent, proving effective in both wet and dry soil conditions.
The team has made all their designs, tutorials, and simulation tools publicly available, encouraging further innovation and application in the field.
The researchers plan to develop a fully biodegradable version of their soil-based microbial fuel cell, moving away from conflict minerals and complicated supply chains.