Kids can build batteries that run on mud with the MudWatt Science Kit

MudWatt, a fun and messy startup, has introduced a new way to encourage kids to get excited about science and engineering. The company is now selling an affordable science kit by way of Kickstarter that allows children to make electricity using nothing but mud, electrodes, and their imaginations. 

The MudWatt kit houses colonies of bacteria that generate electricity.

So how does this work? After the bacteria bloom in the mud, the kit can be used to power simple electronics such as a clock, a thermometer, or a buzzer, which MuddWatt also ships with select kits. Children can add mud from either their own backyard or from a bag from a garden story, and then add their own fuel, meaning, pretty much anything from the refrigerator. Kids are encouraged to think about what bacteria would like to eat, and then pour in whatever they think will give the MudWatt a boost, no matter if it’s orange juice or ketchup. In just a matter of days, the LED lights will begin to blink, indicating the container of mud is housing colonies of special bacteria that are generating electricity. From there, kids can connect their electronics to the kit to power them up.

According to co-founder, Keegan Cooke, the idea behind MuddWatt was sparked following his work as a research scientist at a small startup called Trophos Energy, which was acquired in 2010. During his time there, Cooke developed prototypes of undersea microbial fuel cell systems which used ocean sediment as their power source instead of batteries. Cooke also attended a number of educational events to show school kids the projects he was working on, and that’s where he found that the children were interested in his technology demonstrations. 

MudWatt founders Keegan Cooke and Kevin Rand.

By teaming up with friend and co-founder, Kevin Rand, the duo began building what later became known as MudWatt in their spare time over the course of a few years, while working other jobs and getting through grad school. When the two received feedback from the kit’s early users, they began to realize that the project had potential, and could become more than just a fun side project.

As of right now, the founders have sold 6,000 of their older-style kits and are now selling about 200 kits per month. The team is happy with the milestone, since they never tried to sell the kit — they didn’t even advertise.

It was recently when the duo went to Kickstarter, hoping to get some help in turning their project into a legitimate business. They’re now launching the latest version of the MudWatt kit, which includes several improvements, such as compostable packaging and upgraded components, and, depending on the kit you choose, it can include two graphite electrodes, a board with an LED light, a container, and instructions. Also available is access to the MudWatt Explorer mobile app for iOS and Android, which can correlate how much bacteria is growing in the kit. Better yet, the app can also unlock a comic book which follows an electric microbe hero as he travels through his muddy world.

The MudWatt app correlates how much bacteria is growing in your kit.

Interested in rolling up your sleeves and joining in on the fun? Visit the MudWatt Kickstarter page now!

Story and images via Tech Crunch.