Science & Culture

[Hadash]

Science and Culture

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"Pee Revolution": Scientists turn urine into drinkable water
By: Martina Peterson-Bojek
Published: Dein 1587


A second version of the prototype designed in Wojek University.

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A team of scientists from Mordvania has built a machine that turns urine into drinkable water and fertilizer using solar energy, a technique which could be applied in rural areas and developing countries.

The machine doesn't require electricity and can be used off the grid. "This technology could start an environmental and technological revolution", Marjana Balanek, professor on technological sciences in the State University of Wojek, says. Basically, Balanek explains, the machine collects urine in a big tank where it is heated in a solar-powered boiler and passed through a membrane that retrieves the drinkable water.

"We are able to recover urine...just in a simple process without having to use very hi-tech technology, just using solar energy", Bojan Kieslowsky, a student working in the project, explains. The project started when a small group of Mordvanian researches wanted to find a creative and clean way to recover resources.

"A lot of nutrients are increasingly depleted. So for that we decided it was important. In fact, urine itself is a very rich source of nutrients. So we decided to start from there", Srecko Maatame, another scientist working in the project, says. The team started testing out different ways they can filter out nutrients such as potassium, nitrogen and phosphorous, which can then be used to make fertilizers. "It may not look fancy but it does the job", Srecko adds. In constructing the machine, they then discovered they could also turn the urine into water.

They hope to introduce the machine to developing countries and rural communities, where drinkable water is often in short supply. "We are already talking to potential investors", Marjana Balanek tells us. "The idea is to bring it to developing countries at the lowest price possible, so it is accessible to farmers and poor communities".

"We believe our research could be very helpful for example in such countries as Ustyara, Svarna Surya, Singan, Belayazemlya, Eretzora, and Sappa", Balanek added, just before testing a clean sample of her own urine turned into drinkable water.