Successful development of a urine-powered battery.

This type of battery works using urine, is small in size, and inexpensive.

Working with colleagues from Queen Mary University and the Bristol Bioenergy Centre, researchers at the University of Bath (UK) have successfully created a microbiological fuel cell (MFC) that operates using human urine.

MFCs are devices that use bacteria to carry out redox reactions on an organic material such as banana peels or, in this case, urine. As the reaction occurs, electrons are exchanged between molecules, and electricity is produced. By causing this reaction in a closed system with an anode and cathode, a battery is created.

Research students Jon Chouler, Dr. Mirella Di Lorenzo and Dr. Petra Cameron at the University of Bath.

One of the benefits of using urine in an MFC device is that it is completely free, readily available, and always ready for use without needing to undergo decomposition. While this isn't the first time a urine-based battery has been developed, the reduced size and lower cost represent a significant step forward.

The research team stated that the cost of each such battery is no more than $3, making it a viable solution for powering pumps or lights in impoverished areas. Furthermore, using batteries powered by urine minimizes environmental harm compared to burning fossil fuels.

"Bacterial fuel cells could play a crucial role in the challenge of finding a safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly fuel source," shared Dr. Mirella Di of the University of Bath and co-author of the study. In the next phase, the scientists aim to find ways to increase the amount of electricity that MFCs produce. They discovered that by increasing the distance between the electrodes from 4 to 8 mm, the electricity output increased tenfold, and combining multiple cells could produce even greater electricity.

According to khoahoc.tv