I-Corps: PureMadi - Ceramic Technologies for Global Household Water Purification

研究人员开发了两种使用点水处理技术，可以单独使用，也可以组合使用。这些陶瓷净水器可以使用发展中国家的当地劳动力和材料来生产。研究小组在危地马拉社区展示了社会接受度和技术功效，并展示了该技术对南非艾滋病毒阳性人群的健康益处。在最初开发的技术的基础上，该团队开发了一种额外的使用点技术，该技术的成本大约比原始技术低3-5倍。该团队还开发了应用于创造原始技术的介质的银纳米技术的特殊专业知识，并开发了一种不同的银陶瓷使用点技术，该技术的成本将比原始技术低约3-5倍。研究人员已经开发出一种将银应用于陶瓷多孔介质的技术，这种技术不需要预先合成银纳米颗粒。与目前的方法相比，这项新技术有可能显著降低过滤器的生产成本。该团队建议进一步专注于创造这两种类型的陶瓷使用点净水技术。该团队正在采取措施，为在美国和南非生产这些技术建立基础设施。在美国，这种陶瓷过滤器对于使用井水的家庭以及救灾机构和美国国防部来说都有潜在的市场，用于冲突地区可能难以获得纯净水。

Researchers have developed two point-of-use water treatment technologies that can be used alone, or in combination. These ceramic based water purifiers can be produced using local labor and materials in the developing world. The research team has demonstrated social acceptance and technological efficacy in a Guatemalan community as well as demonstrating human health benefits of the technology for an HIVpositive human cohort in South Africa. Building on the originally developed technology, the team has developed an additional point-of-use technology that is roughly 3-5 times less expensive than the original technology. The team has also developed particular expertise in the use of silver nanotechnology as applied to the media used to create the original technology and has developed an different, silver-ceramic point-of-use technology that will be about 3-5 times less expensive than the original technology. Researchers have developed a technique of applying silver to ceramic porous media that does not require pre-synthesized silver nanoparticles. This new technique has the potential to significantly reduce filter production costs compared to current methods.The team proposes to further specialize in creation of the two types of ceramic point-of-use water purification technologies. The team is taking steps to create infrastructure for production of these technologies in the U.S. as well as in South Africa. The ceramic filters have a potential market in the U.S. for households using well-water, as well as with disaster-relief agencies and the U.S. Department of Defense for use in conflict areas where purified water may not be readily accessible.