2024-12-11T16:29:24-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/145043730/this-nano-membrane-toilet-could-solve-the-world-s-sanitation-crisis-and-charge-our-phones Alexander Walter 2016-01-05T14:44:00-05:00 >2016-01-05T16:06:36-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/kf/kfdxi1fk3j6twql1.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>Researchers at Cranfield University in the UK have created a prototype of a toilet that works without being connected to water or sewage systems, and that can generate electricity and clean water as it composts waste. [...] The Nano Membrane Toilet, which has been developed with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, would be a kind of &lsquo;super-toilet&rsquo;, helping to improve sanitation for people without access to utilities &ndash; at present some 2.5 billion people around the world.</p></em><br /><br /><p>This is how the Nano Membrane Toilet works: "The toilet flush uses a unique rotating mechanism to transport the mixture into the toilet without demanding water whilst simultaneously blocking odour and the user&rsquo;s view of the waste.&nbsp;Solids separation (faeces) is principally accomplished through sedimentation. Loosely bound water (mostly from urine) is separated using low glass transition temperature hollow-fibre membranes. The unique nanostructured membrane wall facilitates water transport in the vapour state rather than as a liquid state which yields high rejection of pathogens and some odorous volatile compounds. A novel nano-coated bead enables water vapour recovery through encouraging the formation of water droplets at the nanobead surface. Once the droplets form a critical size, the water drains into a collection vessel for reuse at the household level in washing or irrigation applications.&nbsp;Following release of unbound water, the residual solids (around 20-25% solids) are transpo...</p>