Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Good Day! I am making a project based on the Powered by Pee: Microbial Fuel Cell and I am asking if is it okay to make it as a device that is connected to a bathroom toilet so that it would be easy to gain access of the urine? And if that is so, will a mixture of urine and water can affect the process? Also are there any limitations of this study?

Thanks,
Booksandstuff1

Hi booksandstuff1,

I'm assuming that you are working on the project described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... cell-urine

According to the project procedure, 1 mL of urine is added to one of the fuel cells and 5 mL is added to another. Given the very small volume of urine needed, connecting the cells to a toilet seems overly complicated. And diluting the urine with water will certainly affect the fuel cell performance.

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman