ЮГ Times. An unusual invention of young Kuban scientists Nikita Volchenko and Andrei Samkov has over the past two years won about a dozen diplomas of national contests and innovation forums. The scholars of the Kuban State University work on deriving the ‘microbial’ electric power - i.e., the power within their system built like a conventional battery is generated by bacteria. The innovation has already undergone a series of tests to prove that the power generated by the construction suffices to light a LED lamp. The young scholars assert that ‘green power engineering’ has a bright future in urban ecology and in sensors to control the environment. Nikita Volchenko, assistant professor of the Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kuban State University, told us that research on power generation with the help of renewable sources is currently carried out several major research centres throughout the world. Russian scientists are trying to keep up with their overseas colleagues.
Q.: Why then do we hear a lot about the developments of Western or Chinese scholars, and almost nothing about the contributions of Russian researchers?
A.: There are studies performed in Russia too, but as a biologist I can say that that’s a question of natural selection in science. The state which is very rich in hydrocarbon resources doesn’t invest in renewable power engineering. And it’s quite logical, for there’s enough oil and gas left for several upcoming generations in Russia. Unlike in China or West Europe, there’s no lack of hydrocarbons in Russia.
Q.: What is the theory behind the operation of your ‘microbial batteries’?
A.: The concept of a microbial fuel element is extremely simple, and it resembles a bit the work of a usual voltaic battery. Both theory and practice have proved that microbes are able to decompose practically any organic substance. However this is a low-power system that cannot yield more than a volt, it is enough for one LED lamp or some measuring devices to operate. An important advantage is that such ‘microbial battery’ is practically immortal. As far as the microorganisms live - and it’s not as simple as that to kill them - it will continue working.
Q.: How can you assess the prospects for broad introduction of alternative energy sources in Russia?
A.: I don’t think that alternative power engineering may become a mass phenomenon in near future. Let’s take solar batteries as an example.
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