- Scientists have built a super toilet out of lasers, plastic and sand
- Fake feces, yogurt, and even oatmeal were no match for the new Supermoor
It’s probably safe to say that cleaning and bleaching toilets isn’t for everyone (if anyone).
But perhaps a group of scientists has answered our prayers once and for all – by developing a 3D-printed latrine so slippery that almost nothing can leave a mark.
Though it may appear like any other at first glance, this groundbreaking bog was assembled using a complex combination of water-resistant plastic and sand grains.
Fake feces, yogurt, and even Chinese congee were no match for the Supermoor, slipping off its fecal-resistant surface in an instant.
“Developing a new toilet flushing method to minimize water consumption is of great importance,” wrote experts from China’s Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
Known as the “Abrasion-Resistant Super-Slip Flush Toilet” (ARSFT), this groundbreaking bog was assembled using a complex combination of water-repellent plastic and sand grains
What makes the toilet so slippery?
Hydrophobic silica particles
These are water repellent as they are made up of imbalanced molecules
silicone oil coating
This acts as a lubricant and makes the toilet surface completely smooth
plastic particles
These usually also have hydrophobic properties and can only absorb water to a limited extent
“Since their invention in the 18th century, flush toilets have brought significant comfort and health to human society,” the team explained.
“However, adequate water is required in flush toilets due to the unavoidable buildup between toilet surfaces and human feces and urine.”
“Flushing the toilet alone uses more than 141 billion liters of water a day worldwide, which is six times as much as the entire water consumption of the African population.”
The scientists used lasers to completely remove their “Abrasion Resistant Super Slippery Flush Toilet” (ARSFT).
Included in this mixture were silica and plastic granules, both of which have water-repellent properties due to their unbalanced molecules.
The toilet was then coated with a special silicone oil that served as an additional lubricant and further reduced surface tension.
In addition to yogurt and Chinese congee porridge, samples of toilet walls were dipped in honey, yogurt, muddy water and milk to demonstrate their skills.
Scientists also dropped synthetic feces into the toilet bowl itself, using a recipe from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
Scientists also dropped synthetic feces into the toilet bowl itself, using a recipe from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa
Muddy water, milk, yoghurt, honey and mixed congee were no match for the supermoor
These are said to be biologically similar to human feces and are made up of numerous ingredients, including yeast, peanut oil, water and miso.
Even after being rubbed more than 1,000 times with sandpaper, the toilet maintained its impressive lubricity thanks to the strength of the lubricant.
While the toilet is currently only a small model, researchers believe it may one day find a place on planes and trains.
It’s currently unclear how much the toilet would sell if developed for that market, although Web has reached out to the team for more information.
“In addition, ARSFT may also serve a critical purpose in public restrooms, particularly in situations where the existing facilities are unable to connect feces to city wastewater treatment systems,” researchers say.
“The concept of ARSFT with mechanically robust superlubricity can offer a new avenue to develop robust superlubricity materials and address the problem of water wastage on Earth.”
READ MORE: Don’t hesitate! Scientists reveal how aerosol droplets containing urine, feces and vomit stay airborne for up to 20 seconds
Tiny droplets, which can contain small pieces of urine, feces, vomit and viruses, float in the air at mouth level after flushing the toilet, a new study warns.
It shows that tens of thousands of particles can be thrown into the air by a burst and rise several feet above the ground.
Droplets were observed floating about 1.5 m in the air for more than 20 seconds. Researchers pointed out that there is a risk of inhalation.
Small droplets and aerosols are so light that they can be suspended in tiny air currents before settling on a surface.
Researchers say they may also act as disease vectors. For example, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, has been found alive in human feces.
Scientists therefore warn that particles thrown out by the flushing from the feces of an infected person could become airborne, be sucked in by a passer-by and infect him.
One study found that aerosol droplets from a toilet flush can be suspended about 5 feet (1.5 m) in air for more than 20 seconds. Researchers warn that there is a risk of inhalation