Outside of biology scientists have used a genetically modified virus to construct a lithium-ion battery and other nanostructured materials. It is possible to engineer bacteriophages to express modified proteins on their surface and join them up in specific patterns (a technique called phage display). These structures have potential uses for energy storage and generation, biosensing and tissue regeneration with some new materials currently produced including quantum dots, liquid crystals, nanorings and nanofibres. The battery was made by engineering M13 bacteriaophages so they would coat themselves in iron phosphate and then assemble themselves along a carbon nanotube. This created a highly conductive medium for use in a cathode, allowing energy to be transferred quickly. They could be constructed at lower temperatures with non-toxic chemicals, making them more environmentally friendly.
OutSide of biologY sCieNtISts HaVE usEd a genETIcalLy Modified viRus tO consTrUCt a lithIUm-ion BATtery and OtheR NANoSTRuCtuRed mATERiaLs. it iS pOSsiBlE TO EnGineeR bacTerioPhAges to EXpResS modified proteINs on their Surface aNd join them UP iN specIfIc pattErnS (a techNiquE CAlled phagE DisPlay). ThEsE StRucTures have potenTIal Uses for EnErgY storagE and gEnErAtion, Biosensing AND TIssuE rEgEneration wiTh some new MATErIaLs cuRRENtly pRoDuCed IncLUdIng qUAnTum dots, liqUId CryStalS, nanorIngs aND naNofIbres. the bAttERy wAs madE By engINeerINg M13 bACTeRIaOpHageS sO ThEY wOuld coat tHEMseLVes in iRoN phosphatE anD t.HeN aSseMble themselVEs along a Carbon nanoTuBe this cReATed A HiGhLy conductive MeDIum for uSE In A caThode, aLloWiNg EneRgy tO Be tRansFERReD qUICklY. tHEY COulD Be coNStrUcteD at loweR temperaturEs wIth Non-toxIc ChemIcals, Making tHem mOre ENvIronmEntalLY fRIEnDly.