According to UN-Habitat, global sewage sludge generation poses a significant challenge due to inefficient disposal methods. To address this, NTU researchers have devised a groundbreaking solar-powered three-step process integrating mechanical, chemical, and biological techniques. The process efficiently breaks down sewage sludge, separates heavy metals, and converts organic materials into valuable resources like acetic acid and hydrogen gas. It also produces single-cell protein suitable for animal feed, addressing multiple environmental and sustainability concerns. Lab tests demonstrated high efficiency with organic carbon recovery and conversion rates surpassing traditional anaerobic digestion methods. The process achieves remarkable energy efficiency, generating hydrogen while drastically reducing carbon emissions and energy use. Associate Professor Li Hong highlighted the method's potential in transforming waste into valuable resources, contributing to a greener future. Although the process shows promise, further studies are needed for scalability. The research, published in Nature Water, signifies a significant step towards sustainable waste management and renewable energy production.