Is it possible to harness biological material for energy?

Question

Since living cells produce energy would there be a way to synthesize these reactions and harness their energy like by somehow collecting energy from action potentials?

Answer 1

For chemical conversion ,yes,for machanical benefits look to NANO technology.Biology in battery manufacture and chemical effects in weightless conditions have potential.

Answer 2

Sure nuf, that's what biodiesel and corn based ethanol is.  Not to mention petroleum, it is derived from dead plant matter after all, it just takes a few million more years than biodiesel and ethanol.