Poop-fueled batteries could clean water while generating energy

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If there's one thing humans can apparently generate an endless supply of, it's sh!t. So why not use that to produce things we need but don't have enough of, like clean water and energy? Environmental engineer Bruce Logan is developing fuel cells that may be able to do that, cleaning wastewater while generating and storing energy.

The secret is that the batteries are full of bacteria, which eat their way through the waste and release electrons, which the fuel cells can store. The bacteria can generate electrical power, but they can also produce hydrogen, which means they could have even broader future applications in hydrogen-powered cars.

Right now the batteries don't make enough electricity to be genuinely useful, but keep your shirt on -- Logan estimates that in five to 10 years they could be capable of running entire sewage treatment plants (which already mostly clean water with microbes, just not dual-use ones). And they'd have enough energy left over to power nearby towns.

straight to the source

• Coming Soon: Batteries That Run On (And Clean) Used Toilet Water, Fast Company
• Bacteria--Energy Producers of the Future?, National Science Foundation

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

If there's one thing humans can apparently generate an endless supply of, it's sh!t. So why not use that to produce things we need but don't have enough of, like clean water and energy? Environmental engineer Bruce Logan is developing fuel cells that may be able to do that, cleaning wastewater while generating and storing energy.

The secret is that the batteries are full of bacteria, which eat their way through the waste and release electrons, which the fuel cells can store. The bacteria can generate electrical power, but they can also produce hydrogen, which means they could have even broader future applications in hydrogen-powered cars.

Right now the batteries don't make enough electricity to be genuinely useful, but keep your shirt on -- Logan estimates that in five to 10 years they could be capable of running entire sewage treatment plants (which already mostly clean water with microbes, just not dual-use ones). And they'd have enough energy left over to power nearby towns.

straight to the source

• Coming Soon: Batteries That Run On (And Clean) Used Toilet Water, Fast Company
• Bacteria--Energy Producers of the Future?, National Science Foundation

I hear that they're going to use the energy from this process to help power new electric vehicles that are being built in Ohio. The new vehicles will release water vapor as they run and are set to be a huge hit as they will be very affordable. In fact, in the future everyone will get a Cleveland Steamer.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I hear that they're going to use the energy from this process to help power new electric vehicles that are being built in Ohio. The new vehicles will release water vapor as they run and are set to be a huge hit as they will be very affordable. In fact, in the future everyone will get a Cleveland Steamer.

Not to be outdone, Pennsylvania plans on developing their own vehicle called, the Dutch Oven.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Not to be outdone, Pennsylvania plans on developing their own vehicle called, the Dutch Oven.

Despite the blanket coverage of this, I investigated this rumour closely and it's just so much hot air.