Nov 9, 2009

Science Scene - I AM PISSED!

Using hydrogen to power cars has become an increasingly attractive transportation fuel, as the only emission produced is water - but a major stumbling block is the lack of a cheap, renewable source of the fuel.

Gerardine Botte of Ohio University may now have found the answer, using an electrolytic approach to produce hydrogen from urine—the most abundant waste on Earth—at a fraction of the cost of producing hydrogen from water.

Urine's major constituent is urea, which incorporates four hydrogen atoms per molecule—importantly, less tightly bonded than the hydrogen atoms in water molecules. Botte used electrolysis to break the molecule apart, developing an inexpensive new nickel-based electrode to selectively and efficiently oxidise the urea. To break the molecule down, a voltage of 0.37V needs to be applied across the cell—much less than the 1.23V needed to split water.


Beth thinks that this may be a "Eureka" moment :o)

11 comments:

  1. Does this mean that one day soon we'll all be peeing into our gas tanks?


    'Cuz I can do that....if I hafta.

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  2. This is fucking great. Woa. I am happy. The only people that are going to opposed are those that are into water sporting. LOL

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  3. I can see it now even the women's rooms with have urinals (or rather a place to just pee). The thing is if it seems too good to be true, they tend to drop the ball with it. I hope they don't here. This sounds promising. (Hugs)Indigo

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  4. i can see it now...you run out of fuel, AAA sends out Bubba to piss in your tank to get you on your way-just don't shake the mans hand to thank him...

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  5. As Stan always says, better living through chemistry! Very promising indeed.

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  6. If this is not a case of pisstaking, it is a very promising way of generating fuel :-0)

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  7. If cat piss will work, I have Texas, Louisiana, and most of Oklahoma covered!

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  8. Oh no, and I thought GAS stunk!! I hope they bring back the FULL SERVE service stations before implementing this new fuel!!

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  9. Hi Ken,
    Wow ... what a breakthrough. A Urine-Powered Car. I hope this means we can start telling all the oil companies to piss off!
    Best,
    Marty

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  10. Dear Ken
    woah!
    :):)
    hey how do they go about separating it out? at the plant? very interesting Ken! thank you!Come by and thank veterans at Lurkynat and if you and Beth's parents and grandparents served please thank them for me!
    natalie

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