Oxfam’s technology challenge to the University of the West of England in Bristol is about to pay off. The global aid agency has been looking for a technology to turn pee into power in order to light toilets and bathrooms in refugee camps and other places, in order to improve safety for women. Researchers developed microbial fuel cells that use bacteria grown on carbon fiber anodes feeding on urine. After 14 years of development, Oxfam hopes to send the first pee-power toilet for testing in a refugee camp within six months. Yet another example of decentralized, renewable power that can change lives for the better.
Pee-power toilet to improve safety for women in disaster areas
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