Urine as a source of energy for Robots

Urine is spread the unpleasant scent, but for researchers based at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory – a joint venture between the University of West of England Bristol and the University of Bristol – have created four generations of EcoBots in the past 10 years, each of which is powered by electricity-generating microbial fuel cells that employ live microorganisms to digest waste. As reported by The Registers, the scientists believe that the urine can be used like blood or pacemakers in humans.

Urine powered artificial heart. Researchers have found a way to turn urine into electric power that could drive a robot. (Picture from: http://www.livescience.com/)

Robot that uses urine as the source of its energy named after EcoBots III. Urine will be channeled to a "artificial heart" in the robot. With the processing performed by an electronic instrument in it, then the urine which initially useless, now could spur the artificial heart in order to move the robot.

Capacity of the artificial heart was about 24.5 ml of urine and once processed will be distributed to each artificial muscle that is also present in the EcoBots body. Then by passing an electric current through artificial muscles, resulting in muscle heats and compresses the soft part in the middle of the pump.

Urine powered EcoBots III. (Picture from: http://www.theregister.co.uk/)

This condition can remove fluid through the outlet and pump optimally in order to send it to a fuel cell from EcoBots. The release of flows like that also claimed could make the pump device worked more optimal. The researchers say the stack of 24-cell of microbial fuel that fed on urine were able to generate enough electricity to charge a capacitor. The energy stored in the capacitor was then used to start another cycle of pumping from the artificial heart. The researchers have already proved the microbial fuel cells can use urine power to charge a mobile phone.

Now the researchers plan to increase the efficiency of the pump to be integrated in the next generation of EcoBots. And the tasks that must be carried by the robot is quite heavy and dangerous to humans such as exploring the radiated, pollution area or other hazardous areas as well. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE | THE REGISTER | GI | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 21112013]

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