These days, when everyone is trying to conserve power for environmental and economic reasons, several teens figured out a way to turn urine into power.
Four Nigerian teens have recently been credited for the invention of an electrical generator powered by urine.
Although Nigeria’s economy is growing, more than half of the 162 million citizens of the country have no access to electricity, and even those who have access to electricity cannot be guaranteed to have power every day.
The teens used the opportunity to urge the Federal Government to privatize the electric agency, and renew and improve the country’s electricity generating equipment.
The four teens did not wait on the government and have found their own solution to the energy crisis. They used a resource that is free and unlimited, easy to obtain, and does not depend on government.
Duro-Aina Adebola, Akindele Abiola, Faleke Oluwatoyin, all 14-years-old, and 15-year-old Bello Eniola, presented their invention at Maker Faire Africa entrepreneurs event in Lagos.
According to Maker Faire officials, the urine is placed in an electrolytic cell, which separates the urea nitrogen, water and hydrogen. The hydrogen then enters a filter, which is then introduced into the gas cylinder.
The purified hydrogen gas is introduced into the generator, and a liter of urine provides six hours of electricity.
The co-founder of the two-day event, Erik Hersman, said the event showcased practical innovation.
Maker Faire officials described the generator as “possibly one of the most unexpected invention ever.”
“Way to go girls, this is definitely an awesome invention which will provide cheap electricity for the poorest of people. Hopefully, the government will approve the system for wide public use, which will solve the energy crisis once and for all,” Sally Tucker, 36, of Ogden, Utah told the media after being asked to comment on the urine powered generator.
While the new generator urine system has some safety measures installed, it could take more measures before it can be sold to the public.