Water Filtration Device

Researchers at the Madras Institute of Technology have launched a new water purifier using a special mix of nanoparticles to remove bacteria, viruses and other pollutants , promising to provide water. Clean for rural people at less than $ 3 per year per household.

From left to right: 4 jars containing complex nano materials, supplementary material packages, water filters and a prototype 10 liter water purifier. (Photo: LiveScience)

To develop this system, the team first sought to remove impurities in water taken from natural sources such as wells, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and then proceeded to antimicrobial, viral, toxic chemicals and pesticides. From there, they designed a filter containing a mixture of nanoparticles, called complex nanomaterials . These nanoparticles, when undergoing oxidation, produce silver ions - which have long been known to kill bacteria. As a result, the water flow through the filter will contain both ionic silver should kill bacteria, impurities in the water effectively. Experts say the purification process takes place in 1 hour and their prototype products have a capacity of 10 liters.

Currently, the filter is being tested in Indian communities, but the research team leader, Thalappil Pradeep, says it has the potential to be used in other rural areas of the world. . According to the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund, 783 million people (11% of the population) lack access to clean water.