New York  - Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a prototype battery that runs on a virus- infecting bacteria to generate power, they announced Friday.

Researcher Angela Belcher of MIT's Biomolecular Materials Group said the virus was not harmful to humans and could create batteries powerful enough to power electronic devices and even cars.

The researchers said that the battery could be produced cheaply and with less environmental impact than current lithium-ion batteries since they require no harsh organic solvents. The materials used in the battery construction are non-toxic.

A prototype battery has already been used to power an LED light and was shown to US President Barack Obama when MIT President Susan Hockfield talked to him about the need for funding to advance clean-energy technologies.