To demonstrate this technology, Wilkinson and his colleagues have built Gastronome, a 12-wheeled robot that resembles a train. It is powered by the ability of MFC's to convert chemical energy of carbohydrates found in food, such as sugars and starches, and turn it into electricity. MFC's exploit the metabolizing power of microbes such as E. coli. Microbes produce enzymes that break down large carbohydrate molecules into smaller ones. Those electrons are gathered to form a current.
Sugar cubes are the only food being used right now.
But not meat. Meat is made of protein and fat and has virtually no carbohydrate content. Wilkinson believes that it will take about 10 more years of development before gastrobots can be set free in the backyard to perform the weekly chores. Like anything else that derives its energy from food, a gastrobot will not be able to use all of the food it consumes. All Rights Reserved.