New Process Uses Microbes to Create Valuable Materials from Urine

26 gmays 5 6/27/2025, 6:43:41 PM newscenter.lbl.gov ↗

Comments (5)

interestica · 58m ago
Check out the Rich Earth Institute in Vermont. They're doing cool experimentation and research.

https://richearthinstitute.org/

ChuckMcM · 2h ago
This is an interesting paper. I had read about recycling cow urine in dairies[1] and I wonder if the yeast would be able to make hydroxypatite out of it. At the time I came across this paper I was looking at people creating financial incentives to produce ammonia (and ammonium nitrate) at scale for farming. We import a bunch of it[2] and making it locally would be a win/win.

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B97801...

[2] https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/comtrade/en/country/USA/yea...

analog31 · 4h ago
Not the first time that urine has been used as a raw material at scale

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainm...

schiffern · 4h ago
Also check out the CodysLab version of biological urine reuse (aka the giant aquarium filter):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhYW0QVS408

Great channel. Quite a shame to hear about Cody's burnout after constant issues getting paid by YouTube, and apparently dating problems with the stigma associated with "youtuber."

LargoLasskhyfv · 5h ago
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59416-8#Abs1

The valuable materials are artificial bone made from hydroxyapatite produced by yeast, used in bone surgery and dentistry.