Turn urine into electricity

British scientists introduced a toilet model that could transform urine into electricity, to be applied in refugee camps.

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Model toilets at UWE Bristol, where testing technology turns urine into electricity.(Photo: UWE Bristol)

Energy converters are located just below the floor and can be seen from the outside.Urine will be the material for "microbial fuel cell" (microbial fuel cell - MFC) used for electricity generation.

" We have shown that this is also a way to generate electricity, " said Science Daily, quoted by Professor Ioannis Ieropoulos, chief expert. This study was a big hit in 2013 when scientists proved that MFC can be used for mobile phones.

According to Ieropoulos, MFC's principle is to use urine-producing microorganisms. MFC will harness some of the biochemical energy that microorganisms use to grow, turning it directly into electricity. This is considered a very environmentally friendly technology, efficient use of waste and does not require fossil fuels. Because of the free and rich " material ", this technology can be easily applied anywhere. The cost of making each MFC is about £ 1.

The project Turning urine into electricity is a joint project of the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Oxfam. They hope this technology can be used to light and provide power to refugee camps, areas hit by natural disasters in many parts of the world.

" This invention is of great significance for victims of natural disasters, helping to reduce the risk of being attacked in the dark, " said Andy Bastable, Oxfam's chief of water and sanitation.