MAWSON LAKES, AUSTRALIA — Scientists here say they’ve been able to remove a number of biological pathogens from water by stirring in a powder consisting of so-called surface engineered silica (SES) which uses a type of nanotechnology, according to a February 20 article in Science Daily.

In the article, researchers Peter Majewski and Chiu Ping Chan of the Ian Wark Research Institute at the University of South Australia said the process occurs by electrostatic attraction between the pathogens and the SES particles. They said their tests “clearly show that organic species can efficiently be removed at pH ranges of drinking water by stirring the coated particles in the contaminated water for up to one hour and filtering the particles.”

To create the SES, silica particles are coated with a nanometer-thin layer of active material based on a hydrocarbon with a silicon-containing anchor, the article said. The coating self-assembles chemically to make the particles active for water contaminant removal.

Tests indicated the powder could remove from water various pathogens such as viruses, bacteria such as E. coli and the disease-causing cyst Cryptosporidium parvum, the article said.

To read the full article, click here.

For related information on this story, click here.

For more of the latest news, click here.

To discuss this topic with other water and wastewater industry professionals, click here.

For a free subscription to WaterTech e-News Daily™, the electronic news service for the water and wastewater industry, click here.

For a free introductory subscription to Water Technology^® magazine, click here.