quote:

---

Scientists in the United States have found a way to convert human waste into renewable energy.

The Microbial Fuel Cell uses bacteria to break down waste. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University found the cell invention wrestles electrons away from the bacteria. The electrons can then be harnessed for use.

---

a bit more ...

quote:

---

In a microbial fuel cell, bacteria metabolize their food — in this case, organic matter in wastewater — to release electrons that yield a steady electrical current.

According to Bruce Logan, the Penn State professor of environmental engineering who leads the project, "Nobody has ever tried this with domestic wastewater. We're using something thought to be completely useless."

Each year in the United States, about 33 billion gallons of domestic wastewater is treated at cost of $25 billion; much of it pays for energy. If the microbial fuel cell can be applied on a larger scale, it could significantly reduce the energy costs of wastewater treatment.

---

[ 11 March 2004: Message edited by: Willowdale Wizard ]

This is the kind of innovation we're gonna need to support and adopt if we hope to live into the next century...

(adjusts tie, mops brow....)

It's the same as saying 'they don't know the difference between their ass and a hole in the ground'

quote:

---

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University found the cell invention wrestles electrons away from the bacteria.

---

The Chinese, as I recall, have had something like this for a while now to make small quantities of natural gas in rural villages for cooking fuel.

quote:

---

Originally posted by DrConway:

The Chinese, as I recall, have had something like this for a while now to make small quantities of natural gas in rural villages for cooking fuel.

Scaling this up would be a worthwhile goal to allow for efficient production of natural gas for vehicles and cooking.

---