Four Nigerian teenagers have developed a groundbreaking generator that runs on urine, producing six hours of electricity from just one liter.
The invention by Duro-Aina Adebola, Akindele Abiola, Faleke Oluwatoyin, and Bello Eniola was showcased at the 2012 Maker Faire Africa in Lagos, a platform for innovators across the continent.
How It Works
The generator extracts hydrogen from urine through an electrolytic cell, filters and purifies it, and then channels it through a series of cylinders, including one containing borax to remove moisture.
The refined hydrogen is then used to power a generator. To ensure safety, the girls incorporated one-way valves to minimize explosion risks.
While the concept of urine-derived fuel isn’t entirely new, the students’ method makes the idea more practical for real-world application.
However, experts like Gerardine Botte, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Ohio University, caution that the process requires more energy input than it generates.
Despite this, Botte acknowledges the potential of hydrogen-based fuel derived from waste treatment.
Their innovation could pave the way for sustainable energy solutions in Africa, where many households rely on generators due to inconsistent electricity supply.
The project highlights the ingenuity of young African scientists and the potential for alternative energy sources in the future.
