The scientists in Edinburgh are trying to make the world’s first urine-powered fuel cells. Chemistry postdocs Shanwen Tao and Rong Lan at Heriot-Watt University's School of Engineering and Physical Sciences use prototype fuel cell system to turn pee into electricity and clean water. It was known that fuel cell costs a lot of money can be very hard to do. Also the starting products are usually hydrogen gas or toxic methanol which could be potentially dangerous. However Shanwen and Rong’s prototype uses urea. Urea is an organic chemical compound produced as waste. Using urea is very beneficial because it is abundant, rich in nitrogen, and is easy to transport. Urea is broken down to water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen when using the Carbamide Power System prototype.
This article has to do with science/biology concepts because it is how scientists are trying to find new and efficient ways to produce energy. If turning pee into electricity actually works, then it can potentially reduce waste. Also, places where electricity is not abundant can start to get electricity. Such places are like on islands, in deserts, or even on submarines.
This article is important to us because it can potentially help us reduce the amount of waste here and even in space. Also we can literally power up anything even cars. If this system were to actually work, then our whole earth would be changed. We can always have renewable energy. Essentially, this is the breakthrough humanity has been looking for since the beginning of times.
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