Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

can you compare this project "waste not, want not: use the microbial fuel cell to create electricity from waste" to non renewable resources if so how?


please reply as quick as possible

Hi,

Sorry no one got back to you about your question.

Yes, you most certainly can connect the use of waste as a fuel source with nonrenewable fuel sources such as oil and natural gas. If the US can make biodiesel from waste or use it to power fuel cells then that is that much less oil and gas that we have to use.

We also have to think globally. Other countries want the good things of life just as we in the US do. If they use up oil and gas reserves then the whole planet suffers. Fuel cell technology is something that can be used anywhere. The challenge is to make it cheap enough and simple enough to use that even resource-poor areas can take advantage of it.

It does not take a lot of electricity to run a cell phone or tablet, and having access to these devices and to the internet can provide a huge advantage in terms of education and communication. A fuel cell or solar panel can power a phone.

Keep posting about your project. What special ideas do you have to make the project uniquely yours? We can help you with this. Remember, no idea is too crazy. You just may think of something great that nobody else has thought of!

Best wishes,

Sybee