There's A New, Safe Water Purification Process
Start writing a post
Environment

There's A New, Safe Water Purification Process That's 99.9999% Effective

Newly developed water purifying technology can help solve the problem of eco-friendly purification.

30
There's A New, Safe Water Purification Process That's 99.9999% Effective

Scientist Guoxiu Wang at the University of Technology Sydney and colleagues engineer 2D sheets of graphitic carbon nitride which can be used to filter water. The graphitic carbon nitride reacts to sunlight and creates destructive oxygen-based chemicals that kills any bacteria within the water. This is known as photocatalytic disinfection, which is an actively researched method to replace current filtration systems that aren't so eco-friendly. The sheet was able to kill over 99.9999% of bacteria and purify 10 L of water in just an hour, faster than even the best metal-based catalysts.

This technology is revolutionary not only for its ability to purify water but it is safe as it doesn't use UV light, chlorination, or ozone disinfection. Metal-based reactants have the potential to teach toxic pollutants into the water but are the most effective. Non-metallic purification processes won't pollute the water but they don't purify the water quite as well. This new technology is safe for people and the environment. The way it works is quite simple as well. The scientists put chemical groups like acids into the sheets to attract electrons towards it. From there, the electrons jump onto oxygen atoms to form chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, which oxidizes the bacteria's wells and destroying their chemical structures.

Due to the amazing results, the inexpensive materials used, and the simple design means that the sheets should be easy to develop on a large scale. The development team wants to hone the technique by expanding the material's ability to absorb sunlight, fix the preparation process, and create antibacterial fibers to prevent bacterial growth within the sheet. After the technology is tweaked to perfection, people are hopeful we can use it'll be ready for commercial use. This is not the only thing needed to purify water, as there is still pH, residue, and heavy-metal ions, but this could help clean water become readily available to many people who are unable to find clean sources of water.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50710
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32446
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955685
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180739
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments