One frontier in bioelectricity is the genetic engineering of bacteria to directly produce current. Researchers at EPFL (Switzerland) recently created a strain of E. coli with a full extracellular electron transfer (EET) pathway, allowing it to act as an “electric” microbe. By borrowing genes from naturally electric bacteria (Shewanella), they enabled E. coli to shuttle electrons from its metabolism onto an electrode. This enhanced-EET E. coli achieved a three-fold increase in current output compared to previous partial pathways. It thrives on diverse organic feedstocks (even brewery wastewater) and doesn’t require exotic additives. In essence, these microbes turn organic waste into electricity—treating waste while generating power. This approach could be integrated into an eco-resort’s waste management system; microbial bioreactors processing sewage or food waste could simultaneously produce electricity to help run equipment.

Another strategy is to chemically augment bacteria with “electron conduits.” A team at UCSB developed a synthetic molecule (DFSO+) that inserts into ordinary bacterial membranes and conducts electrons, effectively turning non-electric microbes into current generators. This molecule acts as a “protein prosthetic,” mimicking the function of natural electrogenic membrane proteins. Such additives could be a low-cost way to electrify microbes without genetic modifications. In practice, an eco-resort’s wastewater tanks could be “dosed” with these molecules to boost electricity production, offsetting treatment energy costs.

Cambridge University researchers developed a two-chamber BPV cell that separates the light-harvesting zone from the power-delivery zone. They also genetically modified algae to reduce energy losses, achieving a fivefold boost in output—about 0.5 W/m². Their design stores charge via chemical intermediates, allowing operation at night. This is a unique advantage: unlike photovoltaics, a BPV can trickle power after dark by using stored energy in the organism’s sugars or metabolites.

Other innovations include multi-organism BPV systems. One study paired oxygenic cyanobacteria with Shewanella in a symbiotic device. The cyanobacteria produce organic fuel via sunlight, which Shewanella then consumes, transferring electrons to an electrode. This indirect coupling achieved over 150 mW/m² and operated for over 40 days.

Current BPV efficiencies are lower than silicon solar cells, but they offer sustainability benefits. The fuel (sunlight and water) is abundant, the devices use living, self-replicating materials, and they are biodegradable. BPVs likely won’t power an entire resort, but they could find niche uses—such as algae panels powering LED garden lights or charging stations. Because BPVs can be produced locally and don’t require high-tech manufacturing, off-grid communities or eco-resorts could deploy them for decentralized power. Researchers even envision “living” solar farms or architectural features like algae-powered bus shelters.

Scientists are also mimicking biological electricity organs and proteins to create novel power devices. Inspired by electric eels, researchers have built soft, hydrogel-based “electric organs.” In one design, thousands of gel droplets with alternating salt concentrations were printed on a sheet. When compressed correctly, the device produced over 100 volts, though at low current. This flexible, biocompatible device, powered by ion gradients, could drive small implants like pacemakers.

An Oxford team later created a “droplet battery” only a few millimeters across, using five nanoliter droplets in a chain with varying salt concentrations. When triggered to fuse, an ionic current is released. A tiny version yielded ~65 nanowatts and stimulated living neurons in the lab. These biologically integrated power sources may one day power smart implants or micro-robots.

While mostly at prototype stage, these systems are safe and ideal for wearable or medical use. For an eco-resort, they could power on-body sensors or monitors. In underwater eco-parks, artificial electric organs might power subsea sensors by harvesting salinity differences. These designs demonstrate how studying nature’s electrogenic proteins can lead to safe, soft power sources.

In 2020, UMass Amherst unveiled the “Air-Gen” device, which generates continuous electricity from atmospheric moisture using a film of protein nanowires from Geobacter bacteria. Less than 10 microns thick, the film produces voltage as water vapor diffuses through its pores, creating a charge gradient.

Air-Gen prototypes currently generate small currents, but researchers are scaling up. Nanowires can be mass-produced using engineered E. coli. By 2023, the team showed the effect is “generic”—nearly any material with nanoscale pores can harvest humidity power. This opens doors to using materials like cellulose or silica gel for air-powered generators.

Applications include integrating Air-Gen films into walls or roofs of eco-resorts, silently producing power from humidity—especially in tropical or humid climates. These could charge batteries or run low-power devices. Wearables using this technology could power health monitors for guests, with no need for charging. Moisture-electric generators offer distributed, invisible energy harvesting, complementing solar and wind.

These innovations, while early-stage, show promise for sustainable systems:

• Waste-to-Electricity Reactors: Enhanced bacteria in waste treatment plants could output DC power, making processing energy-neutral or net-positive.
• Living Solar Panels: Biophotovoltaics in landscaping or facades could power lights or educational displays.
• Biologically Inspired Batteries: Safe wearables powered by hydrogel batteries could be part of guest wellness programs. Seaside resorts could even tap into lagoon salinity gradients.
• Ambient Air Harvesters: Any nanoporous coating could produce energy from humidity—ideal for rainforest lodges.

By harnessing nature’s mechanisms—photosynthesis, bacterial respiration, and electrogenic physiology—we’re developing renewable electricity sources. An eco-resort of the future could demonstrate microbial fuel cells, algae solar panels, and moisture-powered devices. These innovations reflect a future where electricity is generated as naturally as it is consumed.