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

研究人员已经开发出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生产。该研究小组在危地马拉社区展示了社会接受度和技术效力，并展示了该技术对南非艾滋病毒阳性人群的人类健康益处。在最初开发的技术基础上，该团队开发了一种额外的使用点技术，其成本比原始技术低约3-5倍。该团队还开发了将银纳米技术应用于用于创建原始技术的介质的特殊专业知识，并开发了一种不同的银陶瓷使用点技术，该技术比原始技术便宜约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，该技术不需要预先合成的银纳米颗粒。与目前的方法相比，这种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门开发两种类型的陶瓷使用点水净化技术。该团队正在采取措施，在美国和南非建立生产这些技术的基础设施。陶瓷过滤器在美国有一个潜在的市场，用于使用井水的家庭，以及救灾机构和美国国防部用于冲突地区，那里的纯净水可能不容易获得。

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.