[…] Similar to the flexibility of artificial nano-wires, the conducting properties of the Geobacter biofilm could be manipulated by simply changing the temperature or regulating gene expression to create a new strain, for example. By adding a third electrode, the biofilm can act like a biological transistor, able to be switched on or off by applying a voltage.
Another advantage Geobacter offers is its ability to produce materials that are more eco-friendly and less expensive than man-made versions, many of which require rare elements, says the team.
Lead microbiologist Derek Lovley quips, “We’re basically making electronics out of vinegar. It can’t get much cheaper or more ‘green’ than that.”
I don’t know how much cheaper it could be, but it wouldn’t much surprise me if it eventually reduced the cost of creating an electronic device by 90 to 95%.
and if your electronic device dies, you could eat it, or let it decompose.