long the eel's body.
Can Its Energy Be Harnessed?
Scientists have long been impressed with the electrical generating ability of E. electricus, and recent research is leading to uses that may benefit people.
Since 2009, scientists at the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy, Utah, have been harnessing the power of their resident electric tree to power the lights on the aquarium's Christmas tree.
Essentially, two stainless steel electrodes are attached to Sparky's (the electric fish) tank, and each time Sparky sends out a pulse, which is part of "his natural, normal activity," currents of electricity travel through the electrodes to sequencers that make the lights on the tree flash. Living Planet's marketing director loves the display because it "helps give a visual idea of what an animal really does on a daily basis."
Some medical implants and devices require batteries to power their complex functions. In recent years, scientists have been looking for ways to create "bio-batteries," that "would be just like any other cell in your body," except they also produce electricity.
A few researchers have been investigating whether E. electricus' electrocytes might make a goodblueprint, and are:
Designing an artificial cell that could replicate the electrocyte's energy production. . . . [They] found that an artificial cell could actually out perform a natural cell.
One hurdle to producing a viable bio-battery is finding a human-safe power source, although "bacteria cold be employed to recycle ATP – responsible for transferring energy within the cell – using glucose."
Researchers remain hopeful, particularly since the bio-battery has many advantages including: "if it breaks, there are no toxins released into your system."
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