Four Nigerian Teens Invent Urine-Powered Generators that Produce Electricity, Sets Astonishing Record

Cursory: Four teenagers from Lagos, Nigeria, Duro-Aina Adebola, Akindele Abiola, Faleke Oluwatoyin, and Bello Eniola, invented a urine-powered generator to provide electricity. Prompted by a tragic incident, they formed the “Fantastic Four” team and collaborated with their science teacher to develop the idea. Despite initial challenges, they persevered and refined their invention.

Four remarkable teenagers from Lagos, Nigeria, namely Duro-Aina Adebola, Akindele Abiola, Faleke Oluwatoyin, and Bello Eniola, have invented a urine-powered generator capable of producing electricity. The idea originated when 14-year-old Duro-Aina Adebola read about a tragic incident where a family succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning from their generator while asleep. This prompted her to seek an alternative power source to prevent similar tragedies.

Adebola shared the idea with her three friends, Akindele Abiola, Faleke Oluwatoyin, both aged 14, and Bello Eniola, aged 15, as reported by UNICEF. They dubbed themselves the “Fantastic Four” and embarked on a quest to find a solution. They informed their science teacher, Olaide Lawal, about their idea, who encouraged them that it was feasible. Inspired by this encouragement, the teenage girls began experimenting with various materials to generate power without relying on carbon. It was during this process that they realized rocket engines utilize hydrogen.

The fantastic four explained that their invention’s premise relied on using hydrogen as the primary material, with water as the end product. However, they encountered a challenge when experimenting with water, as it produced low hydrogen levels, resulting in a loss of 1.25 volts per cycle when electrolyzed.

Adebola proposed that they explore a cost-free material capable of generating sufficient power for domestic use. This led the team to consider urine as a potential raw material. Initially, they constructed a system comprising an electrolytic cell, fashioned from an old car battery, along with filters, pipes, and an empty gas storage tank.

“We then reconfigured our petrol-based generator and carried out our first experiment – and then we faced another huge challenge as the cell exploded,” the fantastic four said.

“We kept on checking our process and setup until Mr. Lawal pointed out our error: The hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture was returning to the cell. We then inserted one-way valves into the pipes to ensure a one-directional flow of the gas mixture, and it worked,” they added.

After initially presenting their invention to the public, the fantastic four encountered skepticism regarding its viability. However, undeterred, they persisted in refining their creation.

Their efforts garnered significant attention when they showcased their invention again at the Maker Faire Africa in 2012. Subsequently, they received both national and international recognition for their urine-powered generators.

Additionally, the Lagos State government expressed interest in funding the further development of their invention for widespread household use. The teenage innovators expressed their appreciation to Doregos Private Academy, acknowledging the school’s contributions in terms of funding, transportation, and moral support, which enabled them to pursue their innovation.

Credits: ALLSCHOOL, Vanguard

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