This episode was brought to you by Gates Notes, the blog of Bill Gates. Go to https://www.gatesnotes.com to learn more about the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge, which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year!

Just because you poop and pee in them doesn’t mean that toilets don’t deserve your utmost respect! From the International Space Station to the comfort of your own home, these waste-disposing scientific wonders help make our lives cleaner and safer. So next time you see a toilet, say “thank you!”

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Sources:

[Fact Off]

Lemur Toilet Tree

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150513-these-animals-use-public-toilets

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00265-014-1810-z.pdf

https://www.dpz.eu/en/home/single-view/news/informativer-toilettengang.html

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26392-zoologger-shy-lemurs-communicate-using-toilet-trees/

Super Slippery Toilet

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/739396

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlYc8RfqA3I&t=10s

https://ceramics.org/ceramic-tech-today/materials-innovations/slip-and-slide-spray-on-polymer-coating-keeps-porcelain-toilet-bowls-cleaner

[Ask the Science Couch]

https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/question314.htm

https://iwaponline.com/wpt/article/13/1/157/38690/Vacuum-sewerage-systems-a-solution-for-fast

https://www.courtesyplumbers.com/blog/2016/december/three-types-of-flush-systems-the-pros-and-cons/

[Butt One More Thing]

https://patents.google.com/patent/US4320756A/en

https://www.adventip.com/blog/wackypatent/freshair-breathing-device