A handful of inventive engineers are finding ways to harness the potential of our bodily waste by turning it into energy that can light our homes, and fuel to power our cars. Here are a few examples of how some gross ideas could turn out to be some grand ones.

Running on pee power?

One innovative approach is turning urine into electricity with the help of bacteria.

Researchers at the University of the West of England have created compact, living power stations known as microbial fuel cells that can turn pee into power. That energy can put to such tasks as illuminating small rooms or juicing up small electronic devices.

The fuel cells are already unique in that they contain bacteria - bacteria normally found growing on the metal underside of ships and oil-rigs in the ocean. They grow on electrodes, and feed on organic matter in urine as it flows past them, producing a small current of electrons.