A prototype toilet that generates 'everlasting' electricity from urine
has been launched near at a university bar.
The scientists behind the 'pee-power' toilet hope it can be used by aid
agencies in disaster zones to supply much-needed electricity to refugee camps.
The technology uses microbial fuel stacks in the toilets, which feed on
urine, creating biochemical energy that can be turned into electricity.
The urinal is the result of a partnership between
researchers at the University of the West of England in Bristol and Oxfam.
HOW IT
WORKS
The units contain bacteria that breaks down the chemicals in urine, in the process releasing energy in the form of electricity which is stored on a capacitor within a fuel cell.
The units contain bacteria that breaks down the chemicals in urine, in the process releasing energy in the form of electricity which is stored on a capacitor within a fuel cell.
'The microbial fuel cells (MFC) work by employing live microbes
which feed on urine for their own growth and maintenance,' explained Professor
Ioannis Ieropoulos.
'The MFC is, in effect, a system which taps a portion of that
biochemical energy.
'This technology is about as green as it gets, as we do not need to
utilise fossil fuels and we are effectively using a waste product that will be
in plentiful supply.'
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