Articles tagged with Water Treatment
Researchers developed a protein-glutaminase treatment to improve the taste, juiciness, and digestibility of plant-based meat analogs. The treatment reduces beany off-flavors and enhances water/oil-holding capacity, making meat-free burgers more appealing.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a system to assess water quality challenges in Suzhou, China. The study found that the city's water capacity has increased since 2001 due to effective water management measures.
Researchers developed a simple, transparent coating that makes surfaces water-repellent, preventing bacterial growth in toilets. The coating, made from milled PDMS, inhibited 99.99% of bacterial growth and strongly repelled water, offering a practical solution for self-sanitizing public health applications.
A new study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen finds that reducing nitrate levels in Danish drinking water could avoid 127 cases of colorectal cancer annually and save $300 million a year. Implementing stricter nitrate limits, such as lowering the maximum standard to 4 mg/L, can result in an additional $138 million saved.
A new study led by University of Maryland Professor Sujay Kaushal reveals that human activities are making the planet's air, soil, and freshwater increasingly salty. This acceleration of the natural salt cycle poses an 'existential threat' to ecosystems and human health if current trends continue.
Researchers developed a novel material that self-assembles into micelle structures targeting cancer cell lysosomes, specifically interacting with Cathepsin B. This leads to dysfunctional lysosomes and apoptotic death of cancer cells. The technology promises a new approach to combat drug resistance in cancer treatment.
A new study by Ohio State University suggests that the toxicity of Lake Erie's harmful algal bloom varies over the summer, with an overestimation in warmer months and underestimation in cooler months. The research aims to develop a more accurate toxicology forecast for Lake Erie.
Researchers have created self-assembling protein-mimics that can selectivity transport water across membranes while rejecting salts, offering a potential solution to improve energy efficiency in industrial water purification. The oligourea foldamers are smaller and more stable than existing artificial water channels.
A team of researchers from the University of Arizona is launching a $7 million consortium to improve water security and water reuse methods in the arid southwestern United States. The project aims to advance water treatment technologies and make systems more efficient, driving sustainable practices.
Prof. Dr. Marta Litter takes over as Editor-In-Chief of Journal of Photocatalysis, bringing her extensive expertise and experience to lead the journal into a new era of excellence. Her research on heterogeneous photocatalysis and iron-based nanomaterials has led to over 250 scientific publications.
University of Missouri researchers developed a method using thermal induction heating to rapidly break down PFAS on the surface of granular activated carbon and anion exchange resins. The process achieved 98% degradation in just 20 seconds, offering a highly energy-efficient alternative to conventional methods.
A new analysis by Duke University researchers finds that 17% of US households face growing water affordability challenges, affecting nearly half the population. The study recommends solutions such as utility customer assistance programs and policy reforms to address income inequality and infrastructure costs.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health estimates that regulations reducing lead and copper contamination in drinking water generate $9.2 billion in health benefits annually, exceeding the EPA's public estimates by an order of magnitude. The analysis also reveals at least $2 billion in infrastructure benefits, bringi...
A new study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya researchers has proposed a network architecture and specific hardware requirements to secure the water supply chain, adapting to Industry 4.0 needs and Spanish legislation. The system includes on-site sensors, interference-free networks, data analytics processors, and AI applications.
Engineers at UBC developed a new water treatment that captures up to 99% of PFAS particles, eliminating them from drinking water. The technology is particularly beneficial for rural communities with limited resources, offering a decentralized and in-home solution.
Researchers have identified a new material, TiO2/Fe2O3 nanomaterial, that can clean and improve water quality with a single step treatment. This technology has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people exposed to carcinogenic arsenic through contaminated groundwater.
The study found that scrubber discharge water accounts for up to 9% of certain carcinogenic and environmentally harmful substances in the Baltic Sea. This increase is partly due to a significant growth in ships equipped with scrubbers, which has tripled since the study was carried out.
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.
A new study led by researchers at UC Berkeley found instances where arsenic levels exceeded regulatory limits for months or years at a time in the Kern Valley State Prison and nearby communities. Long-term exposure to arsenic has been linked to various health concerns, including cancers.
Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed a method to control active layer morphology in organic solar cells using water treatment. This approach led to more uniform thin films and higher power conversion efficiencies compared to non-treated samples. The study paves the way for large-scale, efficient organi...
Restoring relatively narrow strips of riverfront forests could substantially improve regional water quality and carbon storage in Costa Rica. The analysis shows that such buffers tend to be most beneficial in steep, erosion-prone, and intensively fertilized landscapes.
Chemists at UCLA and Northwestern University developed a simple way to break down nearly indestructible 'forever chemicals' at relatively low temperatures with no harmful byproducts. The technology uses common reagents in heated water to sever molecular bonds in PFAS, leaving only harmless compounds.
Researchers developed a lifecycle assessment-based framework to manage offshore oil spill cleanup waste. The study suggests combining centrifugation and landfilling as the most suitable remediation approach for low-impact spills.
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.
Researchers found a 18% increase in low-birth-weight and 19% probability of preterm birth among pregnant women exposed to lead in water. The study's findings have important policy implications for addressing aging water infrastructure.
A new nanosheet-laminated photocatalytic membrane has been successfully developed by Kobe University researchers, demonstrating excellent water permeance and photocatalytic activity. The membrane's photocatalytic properties make it easier to clean, reducing fouling and increasing its potential for tackling global environmental issues.
A three-year project will focus on developing the Waterworks Park Pilot Plant facility for applied research, testing and evaluation of new technologies. The project aims to address critical shortages of technicians and engineers for water utilities nationwide.
New research reveals UV disinfection can form trihalomethane disinfection byproducts from halobenzoquinones, posing a risk to public health and the environment. The study found UV enhances THM formation yield by nearly 10 times, highlighting the need for further investigation into combined UV/chlorine processes.
High concentrations of disinfection byproducts in tap water are linked to adverse health outcomes. Researchers suggest adopting solutions such as advanced water treatment and sourcing water from less polluted areas to reduce the risk. Additionally, nanofiltration is proposed as an effective household treatment to improve water quality.
Research reveals Paradise, California's water contained VOCs at levels exceeding EPA standards due to degraded plastic pipes near or above ground. To protect communities, experts recommend burying service lines deeper, using isolation valves, and monitoring temperature thresholds.
Researchers at UC Riverside discover that adding iodide to a water treatment reactor using ultraviolet (UV) light and sulfite can destroy up to 90% of PFAS chemicals in just a few hours. This method accelerates the reaction four times, saving energy and chemicals, and enables the treatment of ten times higher concentrations of PFAS.
A recent study published in Nature Microbiology found that chlorine water treatment does not disrupt the normal population of beneficial bacteria in children's developing gut microbiomes. The study suggests that chlorination can actually help reduce disease incidence and limit antibiotic use while keeping microbiomes healthy.
Researchers analyzed skin cell data to identify gene expression patterns responsible for inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Crustacean-inspired cotton was found to control water flow through a special wicking mechanism. Autonomous water treatment systems were also developed to improve energy efficiency and waste reduction.
A City University of Hong Kong study found that improper disposal of surgical masks can pollute over 54,800 Olympic-sized swimming pools annually with microplastics. The research also showed that microplastics accumulate in the food chain, affecting marine organisms and potentially harming higher-level species.
Water exhibits counterintuitive properties when confined to nanometer-size pores, opening avenues for decontamination and crystallization control. The study reveals water's uniqueness compared to other liquids under similar subnanometric confinement.
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.
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.
Researchers found that certain nanomaterials break down rapidly when exposed to light but decompose slowly in its absence. This discovery highlights the need for better understanding of nanomaterial behavior under environmental conditions.
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed an energy-saving desalination process using carbon dioxide, which can reduce water pretreatment required and cost savings. The HIX-Desal technology has shown promising results in reducing salinity of treated wastewater by over 60% without the need for reverse osmosis.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have developed an energy-efficient way to convert corn stover into activated carbon for water treatment. The process produces activated carbon that absorbs up to 98% of vanillin from water, showcasing a promising approach to combating climate change by repurposing idle resources.
A novel, inexpensive chlorine dispensing device has been developed to improve tap water safety in regions with limited financial resources and infrastructure. The device, which requires no electricity or moving parts, releases measured quantities of chlorine into the water before it exits the tap.
Scientists have developed a bioinspired material that enhances lithium-ion extraction by controlling interlayer spacing and achieving stable ordered nanostructures. The new membrane shows higher toughness and efficiently controls Li+ permeation rate, outperforming other materials.
Researchers from NTU and SUTD review recent efforts on 3D printing of spacers and membranes, highlighting its potential to reduce dead zones and mitigate membrane fouling. They also introduce 'hybrid additive manufacturing' as a process combining 3D printing with other methods for fabricating membranes.
Researchers developed a low-cost, visible-light activated coating for water filtration membranes that breaks down foulants and renders the membrane clean. The coating increases photocatalytic efficiency under sunlight by 24-fold compared to regular titanium dioxide.
Researchers at UNIST have developed a novel catalyst for electrochemical chlorine generation, overcoming the drawbacks of existing metal oxide-based catalysts. The new catalyst, Pt1/CNT, exhibits high efficiency and selectivity for chlorine ions, enabling more efficient and affordable production.
A new UNSW study found that climate change and urbanization are expected to increase groundwater organic carbon, posing a threat to the quality and availability of drinking water for over half of the world's population. Increased groundwater DOC concentrations can lead to higher water treatment costs and health risks.
Researchers developed a new ecological degradation process for atrazine using nanostructured materials and sunlight. The process eliminates toxic by-products, but its efficiency is limited by the presence of suspended particles and certain species in real water samples.
A team of scientists has developed a locally growing algae species that can be used to extract cellulose nanofibers, forming paper sheets with tailored pore size for effective virus and bacteria removal. The filter has demonstrated excellent efficiency in lab and real-life tests.
An international team of researchers found that improving drinking water quality significantly reduces roundworm infections, with a 22% reduction when combined with sanitation and handwashing. The study suggests that sustainable approaches to disease control could be critical in tackling endemic infections.
A study by Bertram Skibinski and colleagues compared seven water treatment strategies to reduce disinfection byproducts in pool water. They found that coagulation and sand filtration combined with granular activated carbon filtration was the most effective approach, but new strategies are needed to completely remove DBPs.
Swedish water treatment plants have unique combinations of by-products, making it difficult to reduce health risks. Advanced technology detects new compounds, highlighting the need to discover effective ways to use chlorination while reducing exposure to unwanted by-products.
A team of Yale researchers has developed a novel, highly stable nanocoagulant that removes both suspended and dissolved contaminants from water in a single step. This breakthrough promises to significantly improve on centuries-old coagulant-based water treatment methods, addressing global water scarcity.
The journal publishes its first articles on technology, machine learning, waste water treatment, and remote sensing, addressing advances in these areas. All articles will be free to access during the first two years of publication.
A new study at University of Waterloo found that fear of guilt evokes feelings of doubt in decision-making, leading to indecisiveness and repetition in OCD patients. The study's results suggest that addressing this specific factor could improve treatment outcomes for individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a world-first, graphene-based filter that can remove more than 99% of natural organic matter from drinking water. The filter uses graphene oxide membranes to allow high water flow at atmospheric pressure while removing virtually all organic matter.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found a Swiss cheese pattern in Flint's damaged drinking water pipes, revealing a significant amount of missing lead. The team estimated that each lead service line released 18 grams of lead during the 17 months the city received Flint River water.
Droplets can spontaneously climb a staircase with the help of wettability, a measure of how well a surface adheres to a liquid. The researchers found that a higher wettability gradient is needed for steeper steps and larger droplets.
Researchers create new material that can treat pollutants in water using sunlight, addressing a majority of contaminants. The material's reusability is now a challenge, as it deactivates after use.
A new multistate research project aims to educate fruit and vegetable growers on agricultural water treatment systems. The project will develop a curriculum to equip growers with knowledge to successfully implement water treatment systems, reducing the risk of foodborne pathogens.
A study in Kenya found that a simple voucher system can significantly reduce health product wastage without a significant decrease in usage. The system was more effective than charging money or free distribution in screening out those who would not use the products.