Turning human waste into power
A team of faculty from the College of Technology and Innovation (CTI) and GlobalResolve program traveled to Ghana to install an innovative pit latrine that purifies human waste. Called a microbial fuel cell latrine, the system uses liquid parts to generate electricity by functioning as a fuel cell – urine is filtered from its solid counterparts and the nitrate it contains is oxidized in a chamber. During this process, electrons are released through a cathode to produce electricity.
“Every GlobalResolve project we work on, we treat as a system. We have to look at all aspects of a project to ensure that sustainability will be improved while being sensitive to cultural needs.” – Mark Henderson, professor in the engineering department at CTI
