This utilisation of hydrogen as a source of power, is one that is being extensively researched with everything from hydrogen fuel cell cars to hand held personal devices being powered by the most common element in the universe.
It is however, a complex process. As well as being highly flammable, storing pure hydrogen requires high pressure and low temperatures. Currently, new nano-materials with high surface areas capable of absorbing hydrogen are in production, but not on a large scale.The science behind utilising urine is to do with chemically binding hydrogen to other elements, such as water, to make it easier and safer to store and transport.
The team under Gerardine Botte at Ohio University realised that by attaching hydrogen to another element, nitrogen, they can store hydrogen without the exotic environmental conditions, and then release it with less electricity, 0.037 Volts instead of the 1.23 Volts needed for water. One molecule of urea, a major component of urine, contains four atoms of hydrogen bonded to two atoms of nitrogen.
Therefore, by inserting a special nickel electrode into a pool of urine and then applying an electrical current, you can release hydrogen gas. Botte's current prototype measures 3x3x1 inch and can produce up to 500 milliwatts of power. Speaking to NBC News, Professor Botte, said of the possible benefits, "One cow can provide enough energy to supply hot water for 19 houses, soldiers in the field could carry their own fuel."
She also mentioned the benefits of hydrogen cell vehicles saying a fuel cell, urine-powered vehicle could theoretically travel 90 miles per gallon whilst a refrigerator-sized unit could produce one kilowatt of energy for roughly $5,000. Another scientist, John Stickney, a chemist and professor at the University of Georgia said the technology would enable industries such as farms to be completely powered by green energy.
"The waste products from say a chicken farm could be used to produce the energy needed to run the farm," he said. Currently, livestock farmers who are required by law to pool their animals' waste could utilise the technology to create energy from urine within six months.
source : http://tinyurl.com/3f79yze
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