Researchers Develop New Technology to Purify Drinking Water Faster

A team of researchers from the Washington University in St. Louishas created a new technique to purify drinking water. The new technique is very effective, environment friendly and has a longer shelf life.

The research work was led by SrikanthSingamaneni, an Indian origin professor at the varsity. The research team created an ultrafiltration membrane based on nanocellulose and Graphene oxide. It cleans the water with the membrane technology and prevents biofouling, which creates clogging. Biofouling is a process where microorganisms, plants, algae, or animals accumulate on wetted surfaces. To conduct the study, the researchers used bacteria to create those kinds of filtering membranes.

The researchers used Gluconacetobacterhansenii bacteria to carry out the experiment. Graphene oxide flakes were incorporated in the bacterial nanocellulose during its growing process, making the membrane more durable and stable. After that, the membrane was exposed to E.coli bacteria, and then the light was shone on the membrane’s surface for three minutes. The process killed the E.coli bacteria within three minutes.

The results revealed that membrane quickly heated to above the 70 degrees Celsius required to deteriorate the cell walls of E. coli bacteria. Once the experiment was over, a new pristine membrane was ready to use. The membrane was packed with high-quality Nano cellulose fibers which could purify water rapidly, consuming less time than the commercial ultrafiltration membranes.

The research work was published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. The new technique will be very beneficial for the developing nations since many of them are facingwater crisis.