The original article explains this: http://www.eng.umd.edu/media/release.php?id=71 http://www.eng.umd.edu/media/release.php?id=71 "TMV becomes inert during the

The original article explains this: http://www.eng.umd.edu/media/release.php?id=71 http://www.eng.umd.edu/media/release.php?id=71 "TMV becomes inert during the manufacturing process; the resulting batteries do not transmit the virus."