A Cheap and Effective Method devised to Produce Clean Drinking Water

A team led by an IIT-Madras professor devised a cheap and effective method for producing clean drinking water.  With this device in place, 10 liters of water could be produced which will be free from bacteria and virus. The total cost for producing this amount of water will be 10-12 rupees per month. The team headed by T Pradeep used silver nanoparticles in his device.

 Silver nanoparticles are not only affordable but they also do not need electricity or hydrostatic pressure to produce potable water. They can operate at ambient temperatures ranging from 5-35 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the production of the nanoparticle matrix is eco-friendly.

The team applies sustained release of about 50 parts per billion (ppb) of silver ions in a large volume of water to destroy microorganisms. Silver ions have the ability to destroy the integrity of cell membranes and damage DNA.

To achieve this, Scientists prepared a composite of aluminium oxy-hydroxide on which silver nanoparticles were deposited. The composite with silver nanoparticles is in the form of sand grains.