Researchers in Israel and US Select Top Four Nanotech Projects for Water Purification
Water researchers from leading institutions in Israel and the U.S. have targeted four cutting-edge projects for collaborative research between the two countries.
Target projects focus on nanotech-based solutions that were proposed at a spearhead bi-national workshop in mid-March:
- Development of self-assembling, porous polymer-based ultra-filtration membranes with special coatings, that exhibit higher flux and higher resistance to contamination as well as robust molecular sieving abilities.
- Development of coatings with antimicrobial capabilities that can minimize biological attachment and biofilm formation, to be applied to membranes used to treat drinking water and wastewater.
- Study of mixed metal oxide nanostructured materials for the destruction of biological toxins in surface waters and groundwater using photocatalysis and oxidation.
- Development of whole-cell microbial biosensors to detect minute metabolite excretions from newly-forming biofilms, optimizing membrane maintenance and extending lifetimes.
The above were selected from a total of 12 nanotech-based projects, and are expected to result in commercial applications within five to ten years. Total collaborative research is valued at 600,000 dollars and will be funded on a matching basis.
To view the full press release and for more information about the US-Israeli Workshop on Nanotechnology for Water Purification, visit the US-Israeli Workshop page of the WaterCAMPWS website.
Article posted by Scott Shreve
on Monday July 10th, 2006.
on Monday July 10th, 2006.
