British engineers have come up with a new design for one of the world’s most common inventions – the toilet.

The new toilet does not need water, a sewage system or even external power, using nanotechnology to treat, produce clean water and keep smells under control.

The UK’s Cranfield University developed the toilet as part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s “Reinvent the Toilet Challenge”.

Waste is carried via a rotating mechanism into a holding chamber containing advanced nano-elements, which also stops odours from leaking and keeps waste out of sight.

“Once the waste is in the holding chamber we use membranes that take water out as vapour, which can then be condensed and available for people to use in their homes,” said Alison Parker, lead researcher on the project.

“The pathogens remain in the waste at the bottom of the holding chamber, so the water is basically pure and clean.”

While there has been significant interest in the toilet from developed countries, it is being designed largely for those with no access to adequate toilets.

That includes the 2.4 billion people, most of whom live in rural areas, that live without adequate toilets.

The toilet is aimed at households of up to 10 people, and should cost just $US0.05 per day per user.

It contains a replaceable bag for solid waste, which is coated with a biodegradable nano-polymer to block odour.

The plan is that the bags will be collected periodically by a local operator.

The researchers behind the project say initial field testing of the toilet is likely to take place later this year.

A demonstration is available in the video below.