A water purification device that uses nanotechnology -the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale – to remove viruses, bacteria and other toxins, may be able to deliver drinking water to rural areas for less than $3 a year.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras have developed a water purification device that filters water through a specific mixture of nanoparticles to remove harmful contaminants.
How was this system developed?
To develop this system, the scientists first had to figure out how to remove the impurities from the water retrieved from the local water holes. Once the research scientists discovered the type of microbes in the water, they were able to figure out a method to kill these microbes.
Scientists released a constant stream of silver ions – a water soluble silver citrate -, to destroy the microbes living in the water. Silver ions are well known for their ability to effectively kill bacteria living in water sources.
Will this system work?
The device – which is currently being tested in local Indian communities – can offer families an affordable way to access safe drinking water. The water purifier is able to filter the water in one hour and the device itself can hold up to 10 litres (2.6 gallons) of water at any time.
On average, a family of five living in a rural Indian village needs between 9 and 10 litres of water a day. However, these devices – if the need arises – are able to be modified to hold up to 20 litres of water.
With 11 percent of the world’s population lacking access to clean and safe drinking water – according to the World Health Organisation and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme – these water purification devices hold the key to solving this crisis. While this program is currently only being implemented in India, the scientists at the Indian Institution of Technology are in the process of creating a system that can function in all third world countries.
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