Modern science is looking in pretty much every possible direction for new energy sources. The idea is not so much to create energy out of only alternate power options or to improve efficiency of existing technologies, but to basically turn what is dubbed as ‘waste’ into some useful oomph. We all know that the efforts to convert human waste into a power source have been out for a while and with descent success. But to turn it into both fuel and clean drinking water would be akin to shooting down three problems with one arrow.
You would pretty much do away with drinking water hassles, create a fresh energy source and dispose waste in a non-toxic fashion. Manchester University’s Sarah Haigh is attempting to do just that along with a group of researchers from Imperial College London and Durham University by creating a system that will turn toilet waste into energy and clean water. The team is using a nanotechnology in which nano-scale materials made up of various metals will produce Hydrogen from the waste and then turn it to Hydrozene.
Hydrozene is apparently rocket fuel and that obviously means that it is incredibly efficient and the by-product of this conversion will see the production of water. The team believes that if technology like this can be successfully taken to a commercial level then many lives could be saved in developing nations across the globe. And it is not just Dr Haigh who backs this technology. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has already contributed $100,000 towards the research and the team will get another million if they can demonstrate the chemical reactions that they intend to use in the process by next year. That should make sure the team has every incentive it needs…
Via: Menmedia
