US made 'bacterial batteries in waste water'

US scientists have found a new way to produce clean energy from contaminated sewage, according to AFP.

Stanford University engineers have developed an effective method of extracting waste water for power generation. They started by making a D-cell battery with two electrodes connected to a bacterial waste-water bottle.

US to exploit electricity from waste water - (Photo: AFP)

When bacteria consume organic matter, they will gather around the negative electrode and generate electrons that will be attracted to the positive electrode. The researchers say their new model is simple and can harness about 30 percent of the potential energy in waste water, the equivalent of commercial solar panels.

Engineers hope their research will be applied in wastewater treatment facilities and help break down polluting organic substances in the 'dead zones' of oceans and lakes, where waste and feces Deplete the oxygen supply and kill living organisms in that environment.

In addition, the team said there was an unexpected benefit to harnessing the power of bacteria living in waste water. The process of producing energy is also the process by which bacteria consume organic pollutants, so will also clean the waste water.