water filtration tagged posts

New study reveals a Graphene Sheet behaves ‘Like a mirror’ for water molecules

An image showing graphene water molecules on both sides of graphene. Because graphene is a conductor of electricity, water molecules on both sides of the graphene attract each other by the same charges. (Courtesy image)

A recently published study led by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers sheds new light on how water interacts with the nanomaterial graphene, a single, thin layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice.

The researchers’ findings could hold implications for a variety of applications, including sensors, fuel cell membranes, water filtration, and graphene-based electrode materials in high-performance supercapacitors.

The study, “Solvent–Solvent Correlations across Graphene: The Effect of Image Charges,” was published in the American Chemica...

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Using Bacteria to create a Water Filter that Kills Bacteria

Abstract Image
Photothermally Active Reduced Graphene Oxide/Bacterial Nanocellulose Composites as Biofouling-Resistant Ultrafiltration Membranes

New technology can clean water twice as fast as commercially available ultrafiltration membranes. Engineers have created a bacteria-filtering membrane using graphene oxide and bacterial nanocellulose. It’s highly efficient, long-lasting and environmentally friendly – and could provide clean water for those in need.

More than 1 in 10 people in the world lack basic drinking water access, and by 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas, which is why access to clean water is one of the National Academy of Engineering’s Grand Challenges. Engineers at Washington University in St...

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New Highly Efficient Heavy Metal Ions Filter

The contaminated water (colored water in vials) is drawn through the hybrid membrane by negative pressure; the heavy metal ions (red spheres) bind to the protein fibers in the process. The filtered water is of drinking quality. Credit: Graphics copyright: Bolisetty & Mezzenga, Nature Nanotechnology, 2016

The contaminated water (colored water in vials) is drawn through the hybrid membrane by negative pressure; the heavy metal ions (red spheres) bind to the protein fibers in the process. The filtered water is of drinking quality. Credit: Graphics copyright: Bolisetty & Mezzenga, Nature Nanotechnology, 2016

Water pollution is one of today’s most serious global problems. A new water filtration system has been developed that is superior to existing systems at removing various toxic heavy metal ions and radioactive substances from water and can even be used in gold recovery. Prof. Raffaele Mezzenga’s hybrid filter membrane not only has an extremely simple structure, but uses low-cost raw materials, such as whey protein fibres and activated charcoal...

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