Science Spotlights: Short of Breath? Here’s a Rock
Date and Time
In-Person Presentation
Speaker: Federica Calabrese, Postdoctoral Fellow, Girguis Lab
Meet up-and-coming scientists and learn about questions at the forefront of research today in this series of short talks.
2:00–2:30 pm Short of Breath? Here’s a Rock
When we think of electricity, we often picture wires, circuits and generators. But did you know that living things can also produce electricity? In fact, electricity powers many of the biological processes in living things, including us! Even more surprising is that bacteria can use electricity to “breathe rocks.” What does this mean exactly? Join Harvard scientist Federica Calabrese as she uncovers how some microbes evolved to live in oxygen-free environments and how we can harness “bioelectricity” to power our own electronic devices.
Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Regular museum admission rates apply.
Presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History and Harvard Museums of Science & Culture.