Sofa Science — Bioelectric Chemistry
Victoria Russell is a bioelectric chemist. "What the heck is a bioelectric chemist?" you might be asking. Well, as Victoria puts it, she's a chemist who is interested in both electricity and biology. Primarily, using biology to generate electricity.
What if we could find an alternative way to generate electricity without using metals and compounds, commonly found in batteries, which can be highly toxic to the environment. Well that's where Victoria's research focuses on a microscopic level. She is examining how enzymes in the body convert the sugar we would consume when eating a cupcake into fuel for our bodies.
Imagine the things we could do with batteries that could generate energy in the same way our bodies do, like if a pacemaker could run off the glucose in one’s own body! We’re not there yet, but check out this episode of Sofa Science to see how Victoria is studying this natural process in order to replicated it in the fuel cells of the future.
Sofa Science brings you at-home learning of real-life research and awe-inspiring science stories from scientist at the University of Utah. Each Sofa Science presenter is a participant in NHMU’s Science Communications Fellows Program.
The Natural History Museum of Utah, a part of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Our mission is to illuminate the natural world and the place of humans within it. In addition to housing outstanding exhibits for the public, NHMU is a research museum. Learn more.
