Skip to main content
Home

Dedicated to discovery

  • Company
    • About us
    • Careers
    • Events
  • Support
    • Laboratory Planning
    • Register a Product
    • Register Your Product (USA & Canada Only)
  • Contact
  • U.S.A.
  • Deutschland
  • España
  • France
  • Italia
  • Brasil
  • 日本
  • 中国
Home
  • Products
    • PURELAB®
      • PURELAB® Quest
      • PURELAB® Pharma Compliance
      • PURELAB® Chorus 1 Complete
      • PURELAB® Chorus 1
      • PURELAB® Chorus 2
      • PURELAB® Chorus 2 +
      • PURELAB® Chorus 3
      • PURELAB® flex 1
      • PURELAB® flex 2
      • PURELAB® flex 3
      • PURELAB® flex 4
      • PURELAB® flex 5
    • CENTRA®
      • CENTRA® R60/120
      • CENTRA® R200
      • CENTRA® RDS
    • MEDICA®
      • MEDICA® 7/15
      • MEDICA® Pro-R & Pro-RE
      • MEDICA® R200
      • MEDICA® EDI 15/30
      • MEDICA® Pro-LPS
      • MEDICA® Pro EDI 60/120
      • MEDICA® BIOX
      • Hubgrade
    • BIOPURE®
      • BIOPURE® 300/600
    • ELGA Full Product Range
      • PURELAB® Classic
  • Applications
    • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
    • Cell and Tissue Culture
    • Clinical Biochemistry
    • Electrochemistry
    • Gas Chromatography
    • General lab water requirement
    • Immunochemistry
    • Liquid Chromatography
    • Mass Spectrometry
    • Microbiology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Spectrophotometry
  • Technologies
    • Activated Carbon
    • Electrodeionization (EDI)
    • Filtration
    • Ion Exchange
    • PureSure
    • Reverse Osmosis
    • Ultraviolet
  • Impurities In Water
    • Dissolved Gases
    • Inorganic Compounds
    • Microorganisms & Bacteria
    • Organic Compounds
    • Particulates
  • Knowledge
    • Blog
    • Case Studies
    • Ultrapure water
    • Guides and White Papers
  • Where to buy
  • Contact us
Home
  • Contact us
  • Products
    • PURELAB®
      • PURELAB® Quest
      • PURELAB® Pharma Compliance
      • PURELAB® Chorus 1 Complete
      • PURELAB® Chorus 1
      • PURELAB® Chorus 2
      • PURELAB® Chorus 2 +
      • PURELAB® Chorus 3
      • PURELAB® flex 1
      • PURELAB® flex 2
      • PURELAB® flex 3
      • PURELAB® flex 4
      • PURELAB® flex 5
    • CENTRA®
      • CENTRA® R60/120
      • CENTRA® R200
      • CENTRA® RDS
    • MEDICA®
      • MEDICA® 7/15
      • MEDICA® Pro-R & Pro-RE
      • MEDICA® R200
      • MEDICA® EDI 15/30
      • MEDICA® Pro-LPS
      • MEDICA® Pro EDI 60/120
      • MEDICA® BIOX
      • Hubgrade
    • BIOPURE®
      • BIOPURE® 300/600
    • ELGA Full Product Range
      • PURELAB® Classic
  • Applications
    • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
    • Cell and Tissue Culture
    • Clinical Biochemistry
    • Electrochemistry
    • Gas Chromatography
    • General lab water requirement
    • Immunochemistry
    • Liquid Chromatography
    • Mass Spectrometry
    • Microbiology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Spectrophotometry
  • Technologies
    • Activated Carbon
    • Electrodeionization (EDI)
    • Filtration
    • Ion Exchange
    • PureSure
    • Reverse Osmosis
    • Ultraviolet
  • Impurities In Water
    • Dissolved Gases
    • Inorganic Compounds
    • Microorganisms & Bacteria
    • Organic Compounds
    • Particulates
  • Knowledge
    • Blog
    • Case Studies
    • Ultrapure water
    • Guides and White Papers
  • Where to buy
  • Contact us
  • Company
    • About us
    • Careers
    • Events
  • Support
    • Laboratory Planning
    • Register a Product
    • Register Your Product (USA & Canada Only)
  • Contact
  • U.S.A.
  • Deutschland
  • España
  • France
  • Italia
  • Brasil
  • 日本
  • 中国
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Global Legal Compliance
  • Patents
  • Trademarks
  • Impressum

Let's talk about lab water

  • Categories
    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Biotechnology
    • Clinical & Pharma
    • Cool Science
    • Environment & Sustainability
    • Future Science
    • Life in The Lab
    • Life Science Results
    • PURELAB Product Design
    • Science of the Future
    • Water In The Lab
    • Water Purity
  • Authors
    • ELGA Editorial Team_cloned
    • ELGA Editorial Team
    • Natasha Zarach
    • Dr Paul Whitehead
    • Dr Alison Halliday
    • John Walker
Science of the Future
Analytical Chemistry

Developing Batteries Powered by Human Urine 

14 Dec 2020
- by Dr Alison Halliday

Electricity

Urine–fed microbial fuel cells could help solve two of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges: generating sustainable energy and removing waste.

Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is an environmentally friendly technology that harnesses the power of bacteria to convert an energy-rich substrate into electricity. It works by anaerobic bacteria living inside the anode chamber of the battery breaking down a substrate to release electrons.

The technology offers tantalising opportunities to generate sustainable energy from waste products such as biodegradable waste or sewage. The process can continue for as long as the food is available. MFC could prove particularly useful in remote locations where energy infrastructure is poor – and helping with wastewater treatment at the same time.

An Abundant Natural Substrate

Human urine offers several benefits over types of waste currently under investigation as MFC substrates – including its unlimited supply and bioelectrical properties. Urine–fed MFCs have already been created that can charge smartphones and power lighting – opening the possibility of transforming this naturally abundant human waste into useful energy.

Researchers are looking for ways to improve the design and materials of urine–fed MFCs – to improve their power performance and long–term stability and functionality, all of which are important requirements for the practical implementation of the technology. Using conducting polymers as the anode is gaining increasing attention, with poly(3,4–ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) one of the most successful to date – and adding polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) may help further boost the performance of this material.

PEDOT–PSS Modified Anodes

In a new study, a team of researchers explore the potential of using PEDOT–PSS modified electrodes in urine-fed MFCs.1 The researchers synthesised PEDOT–PSS anodes by electropolymerization onto the surface of a piece of carbon veil for different times: 30, 60, 120 and 240 seconds. While all the modified anodes outperformed the bare carbon veil electrode, the material created with the shortest electropolymerization time was best – showing a 24.3% higher maximum power output.

The team then evaluated the functionality of the PEDOT–PSS anodes over three months where the systems were continuously fed with neat human urine. The performance of the MFCs was stable, demonstrating that the PEDOT–PSS was successfully deposited onto the surface of the electrodes and stayed attached and unchanged throughout this period.

The researchers prepared all solutions using ultrapure water generated from an ELGA PURELAB® laboratory water purification system, minimising the risk of adding contaminants that might affect the results of their experiments.

Improved Performance and Practicality

This is the first time that PEDOT–PSS anode material has been tested in MFCs continuously fed with neat human urine. The results of the study show that using modified anodes improved the power performance of urine–fed MFCs and had long-term stability and functionality. This suggests that these would be suitable for long–term operating processes, commonly needed in real-world applications.

Further advances in the design of new materials are crucial for the development of this green technology and work towards its practical application.

Why Choose ELGA LabWater?

ELGA LabWater has been a trusted name in pure and ultrapure water since 1937. Our dedication to ultrapure and pure water is a guarantee that we will continue to provide the best solutions with the best service.


Reference:

  1. Salar–Garcia, M. J. et al. Improving the power performance of urine–fed microbial fuel cells using PEDOT–PSS modified anodes. Applied Energy 2020; 278:115528


Dr Alison Halliday

After completing an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry & Genetics at Sheffield University, Alison was awarded a PhD in Human Molecular Genetics at the University of Newcastle. She carried out five years as a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UCL, investigating the genes involved in childhood obesity syndrome. Moving into science communications, she spent ten years at Cancer Research UK engaging the public about the charity’s work. She now specialises in writing about research across the life sciences, medicine and health.

 

risk whitepaper

When lives are at stake, there is no margin for error. Your clinical analyser must receive a constant and reliable supply of CLRW. 

Find out how to protect your test results

                   Click Here

 

Explore more from our blog

27 Mar 2023
How does a plant-based diet affect the mineral content of breast milk?
9 Mar 2023
Identifying antibacterial compounds in industrial hemp
27 Feb 2023
Single-cell suspensions from the human placenta
16 Jan 2023
Measuring the effects of indoor air pollution
10 Jan 2023
A novel approach to wound healing
12 Dec 2022
3D bioprinting probiotics capsules
4 Nov 2022
Wie mikrobielle Brennstoffzellen zur Lösung von zwei dringenden globalen Umweltproblemen beitragen könnten
24 Oct 2022
New ‘designer drug’ identified in e-cigarettes

Blog Categories

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biotechnology
  • Clinical & Pharma
  • Cool Science
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Future Science
  • Life in The Lab
  • Life Science Results
  • PURELAB Product Design
  • Science of the Future
  • Water In The Lab
  • Water Purity
  • Enquiry
  • Get a Quote
  • Book a Demo
  • Find an Approved Partner

Enquiry

Please check this to confirm that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Get a Quote

Please check this to confirm that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Book a Demo

Please check this to confirm that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Call us

Can't find what you are looking for?

Support Number
+44 (0)20 3567 7300
United Kingdom Sales
+44 (0)1628 879 704
United States of America Sales
+1 877-315-3542
France Sales
+33 1 40 83 65 00
China Sales
+86 400-616-8882

 

ELGA LabWater US Headquarters

ELGA LabWater North America
5 Earl Ct Suite 100
Woodridge, IL 60517
USA

Tel: 630-343-5251

ELGA LabWater UK Headquarters

Lane End Business Park
Lane End, High Wycombe
HP14 3BY
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 203 567 7300
F: +44 (0) 203 567 7205

Case Studies

  • Abbott Diagnostics
  • DASA Medical Diagnostics
  • NeoDIN Medical Institute
  • North Staffordshire NHS Trust
  • Olsberg Vocational College

Resources

  • Learn About Ultrapure Water
  • Guides and White Papers
  • Purification Technologies
  • Applications
  • Impurities In Water

Blogs

  • Latest Blog
  • Water Purity - Different Types of Pure Water
  • What is Clinical Laboratory Reagent Water (CLSI)?
  • What is Total Organic Carbon (TOC)?

© VWS (UK) Ltd. trading as ELGA LabWater. 2023 - All rights reserved.
ELGA is the global laboratory water brand name of Veolia.

  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Global Legal Compliance
  • Patents
  • Trademarks
  • Impressum
  • Language
    • Deutsch
    • English
    • Español
    • Français
    • Italiano
    • Português
    • 日本語
    • 中文
  • Other Veolia Sites
    • Veolia
    • Veolia Foundation
    • Veolia Water Technologies
Elga Veolia
TOP

© 2017 ELGA Veolia