# Bacterial fuel cell achieves 8.3-fold power-density gain over flat design

_Published Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 1:07 PM EDT · Science, Infrastructure · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![A rendering of villi in the intestinal walls – the inspiration for the biobattery — Primary](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/15225a1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3150+0+425/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F4a%2F55%2F11bc87124fbfaa4900f24a55c377%2Fillustration-close-intestinal-villi-intestine-depositphotos-190823698-xl.jpg&na.image_optimisation=0)

Binghamton University researchers developed a bacteria-powered fuel cell that achieved 66.45 microwatts per cubic centimeter, compared with 8.04 for their volume-matched flat electrode. The results, published in Small, represent an 8.3-fold improvement over that comparison design.

Finger-like hydrogel pillars provide bacteria with surfaces to grow on while allowing nutrients and waste to move. The team tested 24 configurations and flexible patches in a simulated wastewater pipe. The device maintained approximately 0.75 volts for at least 14 hours with continuous nutrients. Its output remains too low for conventional consumer electronics.

## Sources

- [New Atlas: Technology-Innovation-Outdoor News](https://newatlas.com/energy/villi-small-intestine-inspired-microbial-fuel-cell/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/naD8EXeKSNNs4enrSFAZWe
Published: 2026-10-31T17:07:20.262Z
Story chronology: 2026-10-31T15:03:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-31T19:59:53.496Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)