Continuing Exploring Immersion Microscope and Microorganisms
Discourses
Anthropocene
Anthropocene discourse focusses on the significant impact of humans on the Earth and atmosphere emphasizing the central role of mankind in geology and ecology (Crutzen and Stoermer, 2000, Waters et al., 2016). For example, the planet’s ecosystem is not able to biodegrade the excess production of human-manufactured materials such as aluminium, concrete, and plastics (Jordan, 2011). Geological deposits from non-biodegradable substances produce a signature that is different from the earlier Holocene epoch and the decay-resistant human produced waste will inevitably leave identifiable fossil and geochemical records (Waters et al 2016). In addition to the environmental consequences to the biosphere from increased carbon emissions, both of which are becoming increasingly important issues (Buis and Ramsayer, 2015).
Rasa and Raitis Smits
POND BATTERY. A Poetics of Green Energy, http://smitesmits.com/PondBattery.html
“Pond Battery video visualises the electrical energy generated by MFC (Microbial Fuel Cell) in outdoor conditions .. Electricity generation process was interpreted into live sound and image structures, providing an aesthetic perspective on the interaction between nature and technology, ecological systems and electronic networks, human and micro-worlds.”(http://smitesmits.com/PondBattery.html)
Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)
Mechanism
Creating Electricity From Waste Water (WUSTL), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo7ozRO3W9s
“For building a cell, participants use 2 plastic containers (in size of about half a liter or one liter) – one with a mud and the other one with a (clean) water. We put inside electrodes in both containers, which consist of stainless steel mesh and carbon material (which participants can make themselves by burning any cotton-based material). Then we build agar or jelly bridge between both cells as we need semi-penetrable ‘connector’ between those two. In the dirt-container we pump out all oxygen, so the bacteria who are splitting organic matter into smaller substances are now producing hydrogen protons and liberate electrons (which otherwise would be ‘taken’ by oxygen). The protons are traveling through the jelly bridge to the clean water (towards the oxygen), while we can collect electrons from the dirt-container by using the electrode. Now we can get electricity in outer chain and to connect there LED light or other small-voltage consuming devices.”(http://we-make-money-not-art.com/bacteria_battery/)
Bacteria Battery
Instructables, http://www.instructables.com/howto/microbial+fuel+cell/
Luminescent Bacterium
Mechanism
“Luminescent bacteria emit light as the result of a chemical reaction during which chemical energy is converted to light energy. Luminescent bacteria exist as symbiotic organisms carried within a larger organism, such as many deep sea organisms, including the Lantern Fish, the Angler fish, certain jellyfish, certain clams and the Gulper eel. The light is generated by an enzyme-catalyzed chemoluminescence reaction, wherein the pigment luciferin is oxidised by the enzyme luciferase. The expression of genes related to bioluminescence is controlled by an operon called the lux operon.”(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminescent_bacteria)
Seawater medium
References
- Buis, A. & Ramsayer, K. 2015. A Breathing Planet, Off Balance [Online]. Pasadena, California: NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre. Available: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4769
- Crutzen P J and Stoermer E F (2000). The "Anthropocene", Global Change Newsletter 41: 17-18. Available: http://www.igbp.net/download/18.316f18321323470177580001401/1376383088452/NL41.pdf
- Jordan, C. 2011. Midway: Message from the Gyre [Online]. Available: http://www.chrisjordan.com/gallery/midway/#about [Accessed 14th February 2016].
- Waters et al. (2016). SCIENCE sciencemag.org, 8 JANUARY 2016 • VOL 351 ISSUE 6269, pp aad2622-1-aad2622-10. Available: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/351/6269/aad2622