A nanofilter to purify water, and in particular to eliminate toxic metals. The idea, and the realization, is carried out by a research group of the RMTI University and the University of New South Wales (Australia). Furthermore, the device also removes any oily components
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
A nanofilter to purify water, and in particular to eliminate toxic metals. The idea, and the realization, is carried out by a research group of the RMTI University and the University of New South Wales (Australia). Furthermore, the device also removes any oily components.
Researchers promise revolution: in fact, the filter seems very easy "to scale" or to be used on an industrial scale and the technology exploits the natural nano structures of liquid metals (such as mercury, which is very toxic). Furthermore, the filtration speed appears extraordinary.
Water contamination is still a global concern: 1 in 9 people do not have clean water near their home and this leads to serious public hygiene problems, which lead to health problems. A disaster that needs and urgently needs to be repaired.
“Heavy metal contamination causes serious health problems and children are particularly vulnerable - reports Ali Zavabeti, co-author of the research - Our new nano-filter is sustainable, ecological, scalable and affordable”.
“We have proven that it works for remove lead and oil from water, but we also know it has the potential to target other common contaminants. " In fact, from previous research, the authors assure, it has been shown that the materials used are effective in absorbing contaminants such as mercury, sulphates and phosphates.
The solution with a capital S? We're still on a lab scale, so industrial and commercial studies are needed, but scalability seems pretty straightforward to accomplish. Furthermore, the liquid metal can be reused and the process requires only short reaction times and low temperatures.
Revolutionary technology is sustainable, ecological, scalable and low cost: Researchers created an alloy by combining liquid gallium-based metals with aluminum, which, when exposed to water, generates nano-thin aluminum oxide sheets on the surface.
We are talking about extraordinarily thin layers (100.000 times thinner than a human hair) and highly porous. This allows the water to pass quickly, while the aluminum oxide compounds absorb contaminants.
Experiments have shown that the nano-filter it is effective in removing lead from contaminated water with metal levels 13 times those tolerable to ingestion, and in separating oil. Furthermore, the process does not generate waste because liquid metals are recovered and requires only aluminum and water.
The research, funded by the Australian Research Council Center for Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET), was published in Advanced Functional Materials.
Read also:
- Sarsaparilla: the plant that reclaims sites polluted by heavy metals
- Heavy metal contamination: what if it was certified on the organic product label?
Roberta de carolis
