A quartet of Nigerian teenage girls has pioneered a groundbreaking invention—a generator fueled by urine capable of generating six hours of electricity from just one liter.

Duro-Aina Adebola, Akindele Abiola, Faleke Oluwatoyin, and Bello Eniola unveiled their remarkable creation at the prestigious Maker Faire Africa event held annually in Lagos.

While acknowledging that the concept of using urine as a source of energy was not novel, the quartet distinguished themselves by devising a practical application accessible to households on a widespread scale.

RusselSmith, a renowned provider of Integrated Energy Solutions, revealed that the genesis of this innovative solution stemmed from Adebola’s profound concern sparked by a tragic incident she read about—a family of five succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning due to generator fumes while asleep.

Motivated to prevent similar tragedies, Adebola, along with her equally visionary friends, Abiola, Oluwatoyin, and Eniola, collectively known as the “Fantastic Four,” embarked on a journey to develop an alternative energy source devoid of harmful emissions.

Inspired by their science teacher, Olaide Lawal, who instilled belief in their endeavor, the quartet began experimenting with materials capable of generating power without reliance on carbon-based fuels.

Their initial experimentation with water, akin to the principles of rocket engines running on hydrogen, encountered challenges due to low hydrogen output. Undeterred, they pivoted their focus to urine as a readily available and cost-effective source of raw material.

Constructing a system comprising an electrolytic cell utilizing an old car battery, along with filters, pipes, and a gas storage tank, the team encountered setbacks, including a significant explosion during the initial stages. Through perseverance and guidance from Mr. Lawal, they overcame obstacles by incorporating one-way valves to ensure a unidirectional flow of the gas mixture.

Despite skepticism during their initial public presentation, the Fantastic Four persisted, refining their invention. Their dedication garnered national and international acclaim, culminating in accolades and recognition at the Maker Faire Africa in 2012.

Subsequently, the Lagos State government expressed keen interest in funding the project for widespread implementation in homes, underscoring the transformative potential of the urine-powered generator.

The teenage innovators expressed profound gratitude to Doregos Private Academy for providing the essential support, including funding, transportation, and unwavering encouragement, enabling them to realize their groundbreaking vision.