Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have successfully engineered E. coli bacteria to generate electricity, according to a study published in the journal Joule. The bioengineered E. coli have an increased ability to generate energy through extracellular electron transfer (EET), which allows them to metabolize a wide range of organic substrates. The researchers developed a complete EET pathway within the bacteria, resulting in a threefold increase in electrical current generation.