Urine transduction to usable energy: A modular MFC approach for smartphone and remote system charging. (15th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walter, Xavier Alexis; Stinchcombe, Andrew; Greenman, John; Ieropoulos, Ioannis
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 192(2017)
• Page Start: 575
• Page End: 581
• Publication Date: 2017-04-15
• Subjects: Phone-charging system -- Membrane-less MFCs -- Energy management -- Sustainable energy; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.06.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: 1st application of a MFC design that can be scaled-up without power-density losses. 1st full charge of a basic phone within 42 and 68 h employing neat urine as MFC-fuel. 1st full charge of smartphone within 68 and 82 h employing neat urine as MFC-fuel. 1st charging system allowing 1 h 45 min phone call per 3 h of charge. Abstract: This study reports for the first time the full charging of a state-of-the-art mobile smartphone, using Microbial Fuel Cells fed with urine. This was possible by employing a new design of MFC that allowed scaling-up without power density losses. Although it was demonstrated in the past that a basic mobile phone could be charged by MFCs, the present study goes beyond this to show how, simply using urine, an MFC system successfully charges a modern-day smartphone. Several energy-harvesting systems have been tested and results have demonstrated that the charging circuitry of commercially available phones may consume up to 38% of energy on top of the battery capacity. The study concludes by developing a mobile phone charger based on urine, which results in 3 h of phone operation (outgoing call) for every 6 h of charge time, with as little as 600 mL (per charge) of real neat urine.