Taking the PEE? Gates fund turns urine into electricity!

July 16, 2016 Innovation

A revolutionary urinal that uses bacterial metabolism to turn urine into electricity is set to be used to improve sanitation facilities in refugee camps.

The toilet, which has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Fund, generates enough electricity to light facilities, aiding the safety of people in communal accommodation.

The technology was trialed by over a thousand people a day at last month’s Glastonbury festival, where the electricity was used to illuminate the cubicle housing the urinal.
In collaboration with Oxfam and other organisations, the researchers are now planning to test the urinals in India and in some regions of Africa.

The facilities will be installed in refugee camps, communities, schools and in public toilets that lack lighting.