Internet of Things

• Can micro-organisms in soil supply sufficient power to charge the batteries of agricultural IoT devices? Launched in June 2024, a start-up based on research led by Dr Jakub Dziegielowski at the University of Bath in the UK has big plans for soil microbial fuel cells.
• Harnessing free electrons in soil, a prototype developed by the start-up can generate 0.2 watts per square metre, enough to provide a sustainable power source for smart agricultural applications.
• A researcher explains that there is virtually no impact on soil quality, which is continually replenished by plants and bacteria.