Smaller, Cheaper Microbial Fuel Cells Turn Urine into Electricity

R&D Mag ^ | Wed, 03/16/2016 - 10:40am | Elsevier

[palmer]

A new kind of fuel cell that can turn urine into electricity could revolutionize the way we produce bioenergy, particularly in developing countries. The research, published in Electrochimica Acta, describes a new design of microbial fuel cell that's smaller, cheaper and more powerful than traditional ones.

The world's supply of fossil fuels is being depleted, and there is increasing pressure to develop new renewable sources of energy. Bioenergy is one such source, and microbial fuel cells can produce it.

In their study, researchers from University of Bath, Queen Mary University of London and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory describe a new design of microbial fuel cell that overcomes two limitations of standard microbial fuel cells: their cost and low power production.

"Microbial fuel cells have real potential to produce renewable bioenergy out of waste matter like urine," said Mirella Di Lorenzo, corresponding author of the study from the University of Bath who holds a doctorate in Industrial Biotechnology. "The world produces huge volumes of urine and if we can harness the potential power of that waste using microbial fuel cells, we could revolutionize the way we make electricity."

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[West Texas Chuck]

Good on ya mate. I went from Oklahoma City to Lubbock on a Sporty once and that was all it took for me to decide I’m too old and broke down for motorcycles.

So I took up mountain biking :)

I am NOT known for my good judgement skills.

[left that other site]

OKC to Lubbock sounds like a L-O-N-G hot, dusty ride!

Since my hubby passed on, I guess I will confine my riding to the rolling hills of New England.