05/14/2026
Microbe-powered underwater batteries? For this DARPA BLUE project, we have a number of GLRC members who are part of this team trying to make something that sounds like science fiction into fact. Read more about this fascinating effort:
https://www.mtu.edu/unscripted/2026/05/michigan-tech-researchers-develop-selffueling-marine-battery-for-darpa-blue-program.html
At Huskies have access to opportunities to get their hands dirty. Or, in this case, wet.
Michigan Tech’s Amy Marcarelli is the principal investigator on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA BioLogical Undersea Energy (BLUE) project. The program’s focus is on developing a self-refueling power supply system that could capture and convert microscopic forms of marine biomass into electrical power.
“The basic idea is that microbes move electrons around during their metabolic processes. In a microbial fuel cell, those processes transfer electrons from an anode to a cathode, creating an electrical current we can harness,” said Marcarelli, a distinguished professor of biological sciences at Michigan Tech.
The project is made possible through synergy between a strong lineup of co-principal investigators:
🧑🔬“The amount of energy that you can extract out of any MFC is pretty small and restricted by the voltage of these systems. So we have to maximize current, which is a key component of power production. ” – Jennifer Becker, Michigan Tech associate professor of civil, environmental, and geospatial engineering with an affiliation in biological sciences.
📊 “We’re using data to understand where in the world’s coastal ocean environment these types of devices could be deployed and successfully generate the power output that the end user would ultimately want.” – Michael Sayers, Michigan Tech Research Institute’s chief research scientist.
🪸“There's a big part of this that is the survivability of these systems in the ocean. Our system is a combination of custom-machined and off-the-shelf components. In the end, we need to keep seawater out and keep them happy, dry, and functioning.” – Jamey Anderson, assistant director of marine operations at Michigan Tech Great Lakes Research Center
🤝“I've worked on tons of projects over the years, both here and elsewhere, and this is one of the best teams I've ever seen.” – Gordon Parker, Michigan Tech’s John and Cathi Drake endowed chair in mechanical engineering.
Additional co-PIs are Steve Techtmann, professor at The Ohio State University, Mario Tamburri, professor at the University of Maryland, and Juliana D’Andrilli, associate professor at the University of North Texas.
Dive into the biology, engineering, research, and data science that could revolutionize marine sensor deployment: http://mtu.news/zppg50YYUS5
Michigan Tech College of Sciences and Arts
