Researchers Have Developed Socks That Generate Electricity Using Urine

Tech Times ^ | December 11, 7:32 PM | Christian de Looper,

[BenLurkin]

The new socks are able to store as much as 648 milliliters of urine, almost 22 ounces, using a network of integrated tubes. When the user walks, the liquid is forced through microbial fuel cells that contain bacteria that consume the nutrients in urine and create electricity in that process. In experiments, the researchers were able to use the socks to power a wireless transmitter, broadcasting a message every two minutes.

It's not a totally new idea to use urine in the generation of electricity, although the techniques involved normally use an electric pump to provide the pressure to force the urine through the fuel cell, making the process pretty inefficient. When the pressure is being created by the users foot, however, electricity isn't being used in the process, only created.

[BenLurkin]

Just in time for Christmas!

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Will they shock you if you’re not careful at the toilet?

[doc1019]

Some advances in science I just don’t want to know about. ;-)

[Vendome]

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

So if a guy makes squishing sounds walking down the street he’s charging his phone?

[onona]

This is HUGH !

[Hoodat]

Shocking.

[Farmer Dean]

Cue Stinkfoot by Frank Zappa.

[USNBandit]

What’s next, a hat that generates oxygen from your poop?

[UCANSEE2]

If you urinate on your feet, it will kill athlete’s foot.

[AndyJackson]

Could hook it to an alarm so that the next time you are drunk and outside and need to ... well if you start to ... on your feet you will know about it.

[onona]

Keep thinking, you might be on to something

[catnipman]

Sounds electrifying to me! And since I seem to have a nearly inexhaustible supply of urine, I should be a shoe-in for having plenty of sock power.

Still, one thing puzzles me: how do you pee in your socks without getting your pants wet too?

[Pajamajan]

"Just in time for Christmas!"

You probably wouldn't want to hang up a pair of these by the chimney with care though.

[butlerweave]

and when you run dry you can ask a passerby

[Blood of Tyrants]

Just piss your pants and let it run down your leg inot your shoes. Di it, it’s for the planet.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I’m currently trying to come up with a way to turn perspiration into a large pepperoni pizza with black olives. No luck so far.

[PLMerite]

Yellow energy. I’d love to see the federal grant write-up for this one.

[roamer_1]

Oh goody... now the new rage will be to smell like urine... bums and crack whores will be the new elite... par for the times that we live in, I suppose.

[Flick Lives]

I ask for a flying car and you whip up urine soaked socks? Whose wish list had that at the top of the queue?