Canada: Human urine turned into electricity using microbial fuel cells

Researchers at McGill University in Canada have developed an optimized process using Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) to convert human urine into electricity while simultaneously treating wastewater. MFCs are bioelectrochemical devices that utilize microorganisms to oxidize organic matter, generating electricity as a byproduct. The team, led by Professor Vijaya Raghavan, investigated how varying concentrations of urine affect the electrochemical performance, pollutant removal efficiency, and microbial community dynamics within MFCs. Their experiments with synthetic wastewater mixed with urine at concentrations of 20%, 50%, and 70% demonstrated that higher urine concentrations enhanced energy production due to the presence of essential ions and organic compounds that stimulate microbial activity. The study also revealed shifts in dominant bacterial species depending on urine concentration: Sediminibacterium prevailed at lower concentrations (up to 50%), while Comamonas dominated at higher concentrations, influencing electricity generation and system function. These findings fill a knowledge gap regarding the biological and electrochemical behavior of M