Scientists harnass the power of pee

ABC Science Online ^ | Judy Skatssoon

[SteveH]

Scientists harness the power of pee

Judy Skatssoon

ABC Science Online

Urine batteries can't power laptops yet, but they could theoretically keep a digital watch working

A urine powered battery the size of a credit card has been invented by Singapore researchers.

A drop of urine generates 1.5 volts, the equivalent of one AA battery, says Dr Ki Bang Lee of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.

He says the technology could provide a disposable power source for electronic diagnostic devices that test urine and other body fluids for diseases like diabetes.

These currently need lithium batteries or external power sources. But with this system, the body fluid being tested could power the unit itself.

[longtermmemmory]

ahh the professor's secret incredient in coconut power....

[robertpaulsen]

"Urine batteries ... could theoretically keep a digital watch working"

You want to know what time it is?

Well then, excuse me while I whip this out.

[CPOSharky]

A drop of urine generates 1.5 volts, the equivalent of one AA battery, says Dr Ki Bang Lee of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.

AA, AAA, A, C, a lot of watch battereies generate 1.5 volts. How many ampere-hours (or milliampere-hours, microampere-hours, or even nanoampere-hours) will this battery generate?

(BTW, I'm pretty sure it is a 'cell' not a battery. Most all cells generate about 1.5 volts.)

[EEDUDE]

"Oh, I might add, the 'urine powered' batteries is hardly a new thing."

Right you are. Any acid will work as an electrolyte with the proper electrode materials.

Writer (as usual) deficient in basic science knowledge.

[RandallFlagg]

Okay. WHO put, "GOLDENSHOWER," in the keywords...AGAIN?!

[RandallFlagg]

I wonder how many drunks who passed out in their cars with their lights on (and a dead battery) will try whizzing on their batteries to attempt a, "Jump Start."

[R. Scott]

Yep. Steel hulled vessels have zinc plates welded to their hull so the zinc will be eroded away by electrolytic corrosion instead of brass fittings in contact with the steel hull. The zinc erodes relatively quickly.

[Muzzle_em]

Lol.
Wouldn't it be some sh!t (pun intended) if the technology DID develope over the next few years which enabled everyone to power up a battery with pee and the battery was strong enough to power something like an electric scooter or even a car?

[Enterprise]

Let's see, what can we name such a car or scooter powered by urine? I know, I know - the Model P!

[capt. norm]

Yep. Steel hulled vessels have zinc plates welded to their hull so the zinc will be eroded away by electrolytic corrosion instead of brass fittings in contact with the steel hull. The zinc erodes relatively quickly.

You probably didn't guess from my handle that I used to operate ships for a living for about 35 years. The most critical places where we mounted zinc blocks were on the prop shafts. The props are by far the biggest chunks of brass expposed to sea water and they are very expensive.

It isn't just steel-hulled vessels that need them. Wooden and fiberglass vessels with steel shafts and brass props need them also. The steel hull is not a big factor in needing them. It has more to do with two unlike metals coming in direct contact (prop & shaft) at one point and having areas of both also exposed to the electrolyte (sea water). The contact is necessary because the unlike metals can generate electric current and erode only if the pseudo battery thus created is shorted out (where the shaft and prop touch) and the current can flow.

Without the electrical circuit being complete, it can't happen. Unfortunately there always is a closed circuit, so that's just a 'dream' situation.

[last american]

I don't buy this one bit. Uric acid/urea is merely an acid, much like the sulphuric acid in a standard lead acid car battery. He is using urine as the electrolyte, but by itself it has no energy storage abilities. this story is bunk.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

"Idiot Journalists ...could it be so bad to take one, just one, freekin' physical science before you cover science news??"

I agree. Their ignorance is often dangerous -- e.g. you can't believe anything you read in the MSM about medical research.

Even one course would be an improvement. They don't have to be scientists, just know enough to know when they need to ask for more information, and what questions to ask. Perhaps the best thing would be "science for journalism students" type courses -- along with a "math for journalism majors" course.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Very clever. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I'd still advise against peeing on electric fences, though. For some reason, that's a "Right of Passage" in my husband's farming family.

How the next generations managed to reproduce is still a mystery...

[R. Scott]

Most of my 20 years in the Army was at sea, but I have very limited experience with fiberglass or wood. We did replace the zincs every couple years.

[Muzzle_em]

How about
"the Urinator"

[Enterprise]

"How about "the Urinator"

It's been taken. He's the Governor of Kaleefornia.

[Larry Lucido]

The Toyota Pee-us?

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Every news article about Tasers says they "shoot 50,000 volts" into the target. This makes people think they should be banned. When someone tells me this, I point out that every kid in the world has been zapped by 15,000 volts (and has been the zapper too). We don't need no steenkin' Taser -- just give me dry air and a carpeted floor & watch out.

[Mike-o-Matic]

"I do not avoid women, Mandrake, but I do deny them my essence."

Yowza!