Contemporary way of purifying water
Posted on: 30/Jul/2016 9:32:41 AM
Here is a new way to purify water, thanks to scientists. A novel way of purifying water using graphene oxide and sunlight will bring forth a complete changeover, especially in countries like India.
Srikanth Singamaneni, the Associate Professor of Washington University said purification can be done in countries like India where there is ample sunlight. Dirty water needs to be evaporated using our material and you get fresh water, said Srikanth. This new approach is a combination of cellulose produced by bacteria, and graphene oxide that is touted as a wonder material that forms bi-layered bio foam.
The bacteria produces nanoscale cellulose fibre network. This is capable of moving the water from bulk to evaporative surface, and reducing the heat at the same time. All of these happen in a single shot. There is a double layered structure with pristine Nano cellulose along the bottom and light absorbing graphene oxide containing Nano cellulose at the top.
There is no wastage of heat here. The heat has to be concentrated at the top layer where evaporation takes place. Cellulose present at the bottom of the bi-layered bio foam serves as a sponge, pulling the water up where evaporation takes place at high speed. Fresh water thus obtained can be easily collected from the top portion of the sheet. This method of using bi-layered bio foam is a contemporary way. This is quite same like production of pearl by oyster, Nano cellulose fibers by bacteria where graphene oxide flakes get embedded.
For the cellulose, the bacteria gets cultured, whereas graphene oxide flakes are included in the medium, said Qisheng Jiang, a graduate student in Singamaneni lab. This graphene oxide gets embedded as cellulose gets generated from bacterial. At some point of the process, it gets stopped and the medium gets removed along with graphene oxide and a fresh medium gets reintroduced. This creates the next layer of foam. This interface is sturdy and strong and robust.
