The machine, built by Janicki Bioenergy, could overhaul sewage treatment and provide access to clean water in developing countries. Too often, human waste isn't dealt with properly -- sometimes it's just dumped in the nearest river, or the ocean -- and then it makes its way back into the community's water supply. With the Omniprocessor, the sludge is boiled until it separates into solids and water vapor.
The former fuels a fire inside the machine, which creates steam and then electricity, while the latter is fed through a cleaning system to produce regular old H2O. With a pilot program in Dakar, Senegal scheduled for later this year, Gates is likely to be one of many enjoying the benefits of this poo-fuelled process.
