Nanotechnology & Water Treatment

Jenna Wren

Why is it important?

Currently, over 600 million people are suffering from water scarcity. At the rate that we are using our available fresh water, in 2025 almost 3 billion people will be suffering from water scarcity.

http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=4662.php

What is being done to give us healthy, drinkable water?

Nanotechnology is being incorporated into three areas in water treatment:

The actual purification of water

Detecting water contaminants &

Preventing pollution

http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=4662.phpf

Water Purification

This can be done with polymeric nanofiltration membranes

http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v2/n11/full/nnano.2007.350.html

Nanofiltration What does it do?

It removes up to 99% of all solutes in unclean water. Such as calcium and magnesium ions.

http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v2/n11/full/nnano.2007.350.html

How does it work? It uses high pressure to separate contaminant's

from the water. Water is pushed through a membrane with tiny holes which are no larger than, .00001 ( 5 micron) so that bacteria, viruses and other unwanted contaminants to be removed. Then healthy materials can pass through.

https://www.nolimitshealth.com/freewaterfacts/how_nano_filters_work.php

Detecting Water Contaminants

There are many ways detect water contamination, but nanotechnology

provides an inexpensive, simple way to do this.

HOW?

Several layers of single-walled carbon nanotubes are placed in sheets of

paper to test the water. The paper is dipped into the water and if it is contaminated then the electrical

response of the paper reflects the type of contaminants in the water.

http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=13913.php

Preventing Pollution!Nanosensors, which convey information

about the microscopic world, are used to

better the agricultural

environment so that viruses and other

plant pathogens can be controlled to

deliver nutrients and pesticides when it’s

needed. By doing this, nanotechnology could minimize the

use of fertilizers and pesticides and in turn

reduce agricultural pollution and run-off so our water is safer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanosensor

http://nanoportal.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&xml=BCCC621F-E8C8-4CAF-8D1D-939E73381CA3

Conclusion

Nanotechnology can improve our water through contaminant detection, water purification, and the

prevention of further pollution. It is relatively inexpensive and it will ultimately slow down the

progress of our deteriorating water sources. Nanotechnology has the potential to save people all

over the world.