Researchers are trying to generate electricity using fruit scraps at the University of British Columbia.

A team in the school of engineering has been looking to make better use of the estimated 40 per cent of organic waste that ends up in provincial landfills, the university said in a release on Wednesday (May 3).

The team of researchers from both UBCO and University of Northern B.C., have been working together to increase the B次元官网网址渂ioconversion efficiency of fruit.B次元官网网址�

Most recently, the team attempted to generate electricity by feeding fruit scraps to microbes, which release protons and electrons that are then used by a system called a B次元官网网址渕icrobial fuel cell.B次元官网网址�

The researchers have also found that different types of fruit, which have unique biochemical characteristics, will carry different potential for generating energy.

While the experiment did not generate much power it does pave a path forward, according to researcher Hirra Zafar.

B次元官网网址淢icrobial fuel cells are really at their developmental stage and they have so much potential,B次元官网网址� said Zafar. B次元官网网址淎t this point, the voltage remains low, but I am excited to investigate how to improve their power output and apply these practices on a commercial scale.B次元官网网址�

Though challenges remain in converting food waste into bioenergy on a commercial scale, Zafar said the teamB次元官网网址檚 work thus far offers great possibilities of microbial fuel cells B次元官网网址� serving a dual purpose as its environmentally conscious.

The engineering researcher said developing new, sustainable ways to process food waste is crucial for urban areas around the world.

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