Pee-Powered Urinals Create Electricity And Kill Pathogens

Researchers at the University of the West of England have created a revolutionary new urinal system that can not only generate renewable electricity but can also kill bacteria harmful to humans.

The team created a special process where wastewater flowed through a series of cells filled with electroactive microbes, upon which the microbes were able to kill a pathogen, in this case the potentially deadly Salmonella.

The hope is that once perfected the system can be used to create a urinal for the Developing World which can not only generate electricity but clean the waste water before it enters the municipal sewage system - thus reducing the strain on the water companies themselves.

It had already been shown that microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology could use urine to generate electricity and clean water, but in order for the system to be viable in the Developing World the team felt they needed to go further.

This is believed to be the first time that pathogens have been destroyed using this method.

John Greenman, Emeritus Professor of Microbiology, said: “The wonderful outcome in this study was that tests showed a reduction in the number of pathogens beyond the minimum expectations in the sanitation world.”

The system is being developed with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.

The foundations work has not only focused on how electricity can be generated in the Developing World but also how to create clean water.

Read more: Huffington Post

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Taxonomy

• Sanitation
• Energy
• Energy Efficiency
• Sanitation & Hygiene
• Sanitation & Hygiene
• Electrical Storage
• Water
• Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

4 Comments

1. Seek help for Pee Powered manure production systems for India 

   Invite: ​Institute of ​Urban Farming & ​Sustainability, ​India: ​Let’s Win ​battles: ​GrowOwn food, ​fight C'​change . Pl. ​LIKE click ​https://​facebook.com/​IUFSIndia ​   ​Wapp +​918192908604 Dr ​Anirudh ​Garg

2. This is so interesting to know that by designing such products we can actually generate renewable energy as well as kill pathogens. Brilliant work, hope to see this around soon in developing countries. 

3. The way Indians over use water can a simple lever be incorortaed in the wash basin to facilitate recycle of some good part of wash basin's water to the sanitation system cistern outlet. I hope u r getting me. 

   Details: Institute of Urban Farming & Sustainability, India: https://facebook.com/IUFSIndia    Wapp +918192908604 Dr Anirudh Garg

4. Seek help for Pee Powered manure production systems for India 

   Invite: Institute of Urban Farming & Sustainability, India: Let’s Win battles: GrowOwn food, fight C'change . Pl. LIKE click https://facebook.com/IUFSIndia    Wapp +918192908604 Dr Anirudh Garg