People around the world produce an estimated 6.4 trillion litres of urine every year. BRL, a collaboration between the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England, want to make the most of this abundant resource. At the core of urine-tricity are microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which contain live microbes. When urine flows through an MFC the microbes consume it as part of their normal metabolic process. This, in turn, frees electrons. Electrodes within the cell gather these electrons and when they are connected to an external circuit a current is generated.
It is early days, but the work—which is being supported by a number of organisations, including the Gates Foundation—shows that urine could have the potential to make a significant contribution to renewable energy. It might also provide a commercial incentive to build more toilets—over 2.5 billion people around the world have no access to proper sanitation.
There’s money in them thar ‘nals.
pee has always been our friend:
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/08/21/5-great-uses-for-pee-thank-smithsonian/
Taking the piss
Have you tried the new loo?
Urine for a shock.
Slashing charging times by half
Simply put, no 1 wants to work these days…
+p
I’ll pee for free, just send me a canister to fill.
Probably save myself a packet on water charges for flushing and I’ll be contributing to a renewable energy… win, win! :)
We could send it to them online, using Wee Transfer.
Ah, yeah, that my coat, thanks.
+1 for the headline. Golden.