News

Chinese University Uses Urine to Charge Smartphones

A teaspoon of gray powder, a small amount of mineral water and a splash of urine was the chemical concoction that Sichuan University students used to charge their smartphones from dead to 100% recently.

Yes, you read it right – urine. The three science and engineering students completed this project as part of the Discovery 2014 national youth science innovation and future experiences national finals. Utilizing a gray magnesium hybrid powder that is calcium based as the core of their fuel, this device uses the powder to react with water, generating hydrogen gas into a hydrogen fuel cell. Oxygen then reacts with this concoction to form water in the battery, charging the ions with the reaction resulting in emission of power.

According to estimates, the total amount of gray powder used is 15 grams which costs only 1.54 yuan ($0.25 USD) in the local market. Combining this with 150 grams of water (or urine if water is not available) will see your Samsung Galaxy S3 Smartphone charge from dead to full battery levels three times. Lianfeng research claims that this form of mobile power source can be used for all aspects of travelling and outdoor adventures, alongside possible military applications due to it’s small and easily operable nature and the ability to replace often-scarce water with human waste.

Bear Grylls will be proud – once again there’s another use for urine other than survival tactics.

Image courtesy of apartment therapy

Chris Smith

Disqus Comments Loading...

Recent Posts

Still Wakes the Deep 

LIVE THE HORROR: An immersive disaster story aboard a stunningly realised North Sea oil rig,…

4 hours ago

PHILIPS 275V8LA – 27 Inch QHD Monitor

The Philips VA LED display uses an advanced multi-domain vertical alignment technology that gives you…

4 hours ago

EPOMAKER Ajazz AK820 Pro 75% Gasket-mounted Mechanical Keyboard 

【TFT Screen: The Interactive Interface】This 75% mechanical keyboard comes equipped with a TFT Screen, serving…

4 hours ago

Funko Fusion

FANDOM FUSION Play as your favorite characters and wield their unique weapons and skills. Team…

4 hours ago

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Standard Edition

The Definitive Version of Shin Megami Tensei V - Fully evolved with stunning visuals for…

4 hours ago

Hand Warmers Rechargeable 2 Pack

【Unique Split Design】5200mAh hand warmers rechargeable together with double-sided heating function, split snap swivel design,…

4 hours ago