http://www.microbialfuelcell.org/tutorials.htm

I don't see it needing platinum, or any other materials that are hard to acquire in a 3rd world nation.

and this was 2005

http://lifehacker.com/software/friday-fun/how-to-make-a-beer-battery-307756.php

I guess it wasn't a high school student- but all the same, it sounds a little too similar to be unique.

wasn't there a highschool student who created a product, just like this one, using water rich in bacteria? I bet they are using the natural bacteria that begins to form with decaying biological waste.

If it's just an alteration of a previous design, they don't deserve recognition.