Human Waste-Powered Robots May Be Future of Machines

[n2doc]

Human waste might someday turn human urine or waste into useful electricity for radios or space robots
By Jeremy Hsu and InnovationNewsDaily | February 5, 2012


Today's robots that fly, jump or roll around must refuel or recharge as does any gadget that runs out of energy. Tomorrow's new generation of self-sustaining robots might keep going nearly forever by grazing on dead insects, rotting plant matter or even human waste.

The vision of robots capable of plugging themselves into the natural world of living organisms has begun taking shape in several labs around the world, and even NASA has shown renewed interest in powering space robots with microbes. But one British lab has already been building on the work of robotics pioneers to create small "EcoBots" that extract energy from microbial fuel cells since 2002.

"Robots that eat biological fuels could find enough fuel almost anywhere," said John Greenman, a microbiologist at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, a joint venture between the University of the West of England and the University of Bristol. "There is organic matter anywhere on Earth — leaves and soil in the forest, or even human waste such as urine and feces."

The first EcoBot (created in 2003) was powered by E. coli bacteria feeding on refined sugar. Then "EcoBot-II" (2005) harnessed sludge microbes to break down dead flies, prawn shells and rotten apples. Finally, "EcoBot-III" (2010) showed how a "digesting" robot could also dump its leftover waste, so that its microbes wouldn't be poisoned by their own filth and could keep powering the robot.


more

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=human-waste-powered-robot

[immoderate]

1. It's a sideshow act!

So Ecobot-III can shit! Now we see the need for an Ecobot-IV.

--imm

[Duer 157099]

2. Hmmm, there could be a movie plot in here somewhere

Sometime in the future, robots take over the world and keep humans around as their energy source...

But the humans need to be sedated and fed a virtual reality world so they don't rebel....

Could be a blockbuster!

[Confusious]

3. shit-bot 2k, at your service sir!

may I eat your toilet paper, sir?

too gross?

[LiberalEsto]

4. Try Poo-Bot

it's a tad more, ahem, classy-assy

[Confusious]

5. Poo-bot is family friendly!

In more ways then one.

Haha

[n2doc]

6. Otherwise known as 'Winnie' n/t

[Neoma]

7. Reminds me of Back to the future.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. R-Poo-D-Poo?

Or maybe Mitt Romney, who I could easily believe is a shit-powered robot.

[geardaddy]

10. Win!

[Motown_Johnny]

9. My suggestion for the direction this research should go in

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-02/rainforest-fungus-eats-plastic-potentially-solving-landfill-problems

^snip^

Amazonian Rainforest Fungus Eats Polyurethane, Potentially Solving a Big Landfill Problem

This plastic is one of those modern chemical compounds found in so many products, it’s pointless to count — from Spandex to garden hoses, for a start — and it is prized for both its flexibility and rigidity. The problem is that like many other polymers, it does not break down readily. This means it persists in landfills, as Fast Company points out. It burns pretty well, but that releases carbon monoxide and other gases into the atmosphere, so it’s a nonstarter in most situations. Something that can degrade it naturally would be a better solution.




Come up with a robot that sort through garbage for recyclable materials that eats plastic to fuel itself 24/7 and you may be onto something.