Articles tagged with Water Purification
Researchers found that solar water disinfection (SODIS) was effective in inactivating Escherichia coli bacteria at both low and high altitudes. At high altitudes, bacterial inactivation increased by 1.7-fold after two hours, with no significant differences after six hours. The study highlights the potential of SODIS to improve global a...
Researchers at Texas A&M University have created a new method to monitor flocculation and mixing in real-time, allowing for more precise control over the process. This technique reduces energy consumption by halving the workload and improving precision.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new solar absorber gel technology that can filter pollutants from water, producing almost fourfold more filtration rate than its predecessor. The device can provide enough clean water to meet daily demand in many parts of the world.
A sunlight-powered porous hydrogel inspired by loofahs can rapidly absorb and release purified water. The material has the potential to meet a person's daily demand, regardless of light conditions.
The Stanford-led study found that the area of wetland ecosystems has declined 21-35% since 1700 due to human intervention, with at least 1.3 million square miles lost globally. This contradicts previous estimates and suggests a need for revised conservation strategies.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a sustainable method for creating high-performance porous membranes from plastic waste, using bio-based solvents to dissolve polyolefins. This process reduces the environmental footprint of industrial separations and creates access to fresh water.
Researchers have developed a novel catalytic approach to synthesize monocyclic 3-(pyrrol-1-yl)-azetidin-2-ones, which show potential as therapeutic agents. The method yields all four diastereomers with high selectivity and has been published in Current Organocatalysis.
A team of researchers has successfully produced green hydrogen from seawater without pre-treatment, achieving nearly 100% efficiency. This breakthrough uses a non-precious and cheap catalyst in a commercial electrolyser, offering a solution to directly utilize seawater for hydrogen production.
A new solar distillation device, developed by KAUST professors and researchers, can purify brine from seawater with high efficiency. The device produces double the freshwater production rate of existing technology, meeting the drinking needs of two people daily.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new material made from egg whites that can efficiently remove salt and microplastics from seawater. The aerogel material has significant benefits due to its low cost, energy efficiency, and effectiveness in water filtration.
New research reveals a relationship between virus concentration and organic carbon in wastewater treatment plant effluents. The study found that viruses can affect the concentration of organic carbon, leading to potential negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems nearby.
Researchers at Okayama University found that an acidic adsorption layer in carbon nanotubes facilitates efficient adsorption of negatively charged nitrate anions, making the aqueous solution alkaline. This study provides a novel model for designing carbon nanotubes suitable for ion adsorption and purification.
Researchers have created a sorbent that maximizes the absorption of precious metal from solutions, selectively extracting silver even in low concentrations. The new sorbent's properties make it useful for purifying drinking water and processing production waste.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a new type of carbon molecular sieve membrane that overcomes drawbacks of existing polymer membranes. The membrane, made from 6FDA-DMN, exhibits high rejection of small molecules and exceptional stability in various organic solvents.
A research group developed a novel antifouling nanofiltration membrane by regulating pore size distribution through one-step multiple interfacial polymerization. The resulting membrane exhibits stronger antifouling performance and long-term stability, promising improved robustness in industrial liquid separation.
Researchers created a composite of boron nitride and titanium dioxide that harnesses UV-A energy to break apart PFOA molecules in water, degrading 99% of the pollutant in less than three hours. The catalyst is more efficient than existing methods, offering new hope for removing PFOA from drinking water.
A team of scientists has developed a solar-powered water filter that can remove pathogens, pesticides, and micropollutants from contaminated water. The filter uses titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanowires and carbon nanotubes to produce reactive oxygen species that kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
A team of high school students, led by science teacher Rebecca Bushway, designed an inexpensive filter attachment that removes lead from tap water. The filter uses a biodegradable plastic cartridge with a built-in indicator that turns the water yellow when lead is present.
Scientists have created a 'greener' way to clean wastewater treatment filters by using glucose-based nanoparticles, which effectively remove contaminants without destroying the membrane. The new system is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than traditional methods.
Researchers have developed a hydrogel that can absorb and retain water when combined with a hygroscopic salt, extracting almost six liters of pure water per kilo of material in 24 hours. This technology could play a fundamental role in recovering atmospheric water in drought-stricken regions.
The Bureau of Reclamation has invested $1.6 million in nine innovative desalination technologies aiming to make water treatment more affordable and sustainable. The projects focus on reducing energy requirements and environmental impacts, providing communities with a new source of usable water.
Researchers have discovered that living filtration membranes made from kombucha cultures can resist fouling and maintain faster filtering rates compared to conventional polymer membranes. This breakthrough could lead to an inexpensive, biodegradable, and effective way to treat water, tackling issues such as biofilm formation and clogging.
Researchers emphasize the need for monitoring drinking water for HIV medications, as they can contaminate rivers and streams through wastewater. The lack of regulation on pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants poses a significant challenge in ensuring safe drinking water.
Researchers have developed an ultra-stable amorphous Ta2O5/C nanocomposite with a hollow multishelled structure that can improve the efficiency of water purification. The composite decreases the energy required for water evaporation and enables a super-fast evaporation speed of 4.02 kg m-2 h-1.
Researchers developed new materials with enhanced adsorption capabilities, promising advancements in hydrogen storage, oil spill cleanup, and sensor development. The polymerization mechanism and kinetics were analyzed, revealing a significant impact of solvation on reactivity.
Researchers found that a coagulation method using electricity effectively removes and inactivates nonenveloped viruses from untreated water. The process involves the use of iron electrodes to produce hydroxyl radicals, which aggregate with viruses, making them easier to remove.
Researchers have developed a new method to remove micropollution from drinking water by using iron and chlorine to break down carbon-based pollutants. The technique produces only CO2 and salt as by-products, making it a promising solution for purifying contaminated water.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin created hydrogel tablet that can rapidly purify contaminated water, making it suitable for drinking in an hour or less. The tablets generate hydrogen peroxide to neutralize bacteria with an efficiency rate of over 99.999%, requiring zero energy input and no harmful byproducts.
A new filtering technology inspired by biology can separate fluoride from chloride ions with twice the selectivity, potentially preventing waterborne diseases like fluorosis. The technology also has potential applications in industrial processes such as chemical production and mining.
A study found that water dispensers could be a source of organophosphate ester exposure, with OPEs detected in the majority of samples. The researchers estimated daily consumption levels to be below health-risk thresholds, but highlighted the need for future research on suitable tubing materials.
Researchers from India and Saudi Arabia have combined oxidation and photocatalysis to create a heterogeneous photo-Fenton system that degrades phenols at higher rates than individual approaches. The system is highly photostable and reusable, making it promising for practical applications in wastewater purification.
Experts from the University of Goettingen and Hereon have developed new research strategies for polymer membranes, promising relatively inexpensive production and strong separation selectivity. Computer simulations will play a crucial role in understanding these systems.
A new invention uses sunlight to drive water purification, filtering out lead, oil and pathogens from contaminated water. The device can operate off-grid and is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Researchers have developed xylem filters made from native trees that can remove bacteria and viruses from contaminated drinking water, showing promise as a community-based solution. The filters can be fabricated using simple techniques and have been tested in India, demonstrating their effectiveness in real-world situations.
Computational models predict solute-surface affinity, allowing for more effective membrane design and improved energy efficiency. Researchers discovered that surface water molecular structures play a crucial role in determining affinity.
The water-energy nanogrid is a standalone system that uses solar energy to decontaminate water and generate electricity. Researchers found that the nanofiltration system can successfully desalinate and remove chemicals from local groundwater, making it suitable for remote regions.
Researchers at KIST created a novel powdered activated carbon with improved adsorption rates, effectively controlling algal blooms in conventional water treatment plants. The new technology enables faster adsorption of taste- and odor-causing substances and toxic algae byproducts.
Researchers discover a new method for making nanoparticles that can efficiently capture over 95% of proteins, DNA, or small molecule drugs. The process uses a self-assembling polymer to create a nanonet that collapses into nanogels, trapping therapeutics with high efficiency.
Researchers developed a new aluminum panel that concentrates solar energy to evaporate and purify contaminated water, reducing contaminants to safe levels for drinking. The technology uses a burst of laser pulses to etch the surface of aluminum, creating a super-wicking and light-absorbing surface that can efficiently purify water.
Imperial College London scientists have developed a new type of membrane that can improve water purification and battery energy storage efforts. The new approach uses low-cost plastic membranes with many tiny hydrophilic pores, making them more selective and efficient than current technology.
Researchers introduce a new water purification method using magnetic nanoparticles coated with an ionic liquid, effectively removing organic, inorganic, and microbial contaminants. The nanoparticles can be easily removed with magnets, making them a promising starting point for decentralized water purification systems.
Researchers from CSU have discovered that conventional hydrophobic membranes create a larger liquid-vapor interfacial area, increasing evaporation and efficiency. This tradeoff between hydrophobic vs. omniphobic membranes offers new information into why certain membrane designs work better than others in membrane distillation.
A new device for collecting and purifying water, developed at the University of Texas at Austin, uses a rose-inspired design to improve upon current methods. The device can produce more than half a gallon of water per hour per square meter and removes contamination from heavy metals and bacteria.
Scientists at the Institute of Process Engineering and Yangzhou University developed a green water-purification system that purifies pathogen-rich water in 30 minutes, killing over 99.9999% of bacteria like E. coli. The system uses graphitic carbon nitride sheets and does not leave behind secondary pollution or heavy-metal-ion residues.
Researchers at the University of Alabama have developed a new plasma device that can clean water of difficult-to-remove bacteria and toxins. The device uses pulses of voltage to produce hydroxyl radicals, which cause a cascade of reactions leading to purer water samples.
Researchers at EPFL developed a computational method to grow 2D carbon surfaces inside zeolite pores. The resulting structures resemble negatively curved surfaces called Schwarzites, which have unique properties and potential applications in supercapacitors, catalysis, and gas storage.
CSIRO scientists have developed a new filtering technique using Graphair that can remove almost all contaminants from water in a single step. The breakthrough technology has the potential to provide clean drinking water for millions of people worldwide who currently lack access to safe drinking water.
The innovative technology splits sunlight into efficient light and repurposes infrared light for water purification, improving agricultural competitiveness and reducing energy costs in greenhouses. Researchers plan to test the material in pilot greenhouse facilities and expand its application to various crops.
Researchers found that porous types of wood can greatly increase the efficiency of water-to-steam conversion under sunlight. The findings could be used in a simple and inexpensive biodegradable device for water purification.
A KAUST team has found that transition-metal carbides, known as MXenes, can trap sunlight energy to purify water through evaporation. The Ti3C2 MXene achieved 100% efficiency in converting light to heat, while other materials like carbon nanotubes and graphene also showed high efficiency.
Researchers developed a new method to study chemical reactions at atomic scale, allowing for real-time observations of the solid-liquid interface. This technique helps improve water purification methods and understand supercapacitor performance.
Israeli scientists developed a supramolecular aqua material that forms a hybrid membrane with robust filtering properties, easy fabrication, and recyclability. The hybrid membrane is effective in removing toxic heavy metals and small organic molecules from contaminated water.
Graphene, known as 'black gold', has high surface area and can effectively purify contaminated water due to its unique structure. Using light, researchers can extract the graphene and contaminants, enabling easier purification.
A new device mimics leaf processes to harness solar energy and purify water, offering a clean alternative to conventional methods for addressing global water shortages. The tri-layer membrane uses TiO2 nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, and anodized aluminum oxide to degrade pollutants in simulated sunlight.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University developed a new method to clean contaminated water full of unwanted nanomaterials by shaking oil and water, clearing out nearly 100% of one-dimensional nanomaterials. The technique uses the physical properties of oil and water to trap nanomaterials, which can then be easily removed.
Researchers found that too-pure recycled water can pick up arsenic as it seeps underground, causing temporary spikes in levels. The water's lack of calcium and magnesium ions allows arsenic to be repelled from clay particles, entering the water instead.
The 'dancing droplets' phenomenon allows small droplets to launch themselves from moderately hydrophobic surfaces, enabling efficient removal of accumulated droplets in fibrous webs. This technology has potential applications in water purification and oil refining by reducing clogging and improving efficiency.
Researchers at Uppsala University discovered that Moringa seed protein can be used to separate different materials from water, a process important in mining industries. The study found that the optimal amount of seeds needed varies depending on the material, allowing for more efficient separation.
Queen's University scientists found that nanosilver can upset the human gut community at low concentrations. The discovery highlights the potential risks of nanoparticles in everyday life and underscores the need for further research on their long-term effects on health.
Debora Rodrigues, assistant professor at the University of Houston, has received the Emerging Investigator award from the Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization for her pioneering contributions to sustainable nanotechnology. She was recognized for her outstanding research in water purification and treatment using nanomaterials.