Silk and cellulose water filter blocks stubborn forever chemicals, metals

 

there have been recent advancements in water filtration using natural silk. Researchers at MIT have developed a new type of filter that can effectively remove PFAS and heavy metals from water.

Here are some key points about this new filter:

 * Natural materials: The filter is made from silk and cellulose, both naturally occurring and biodegradable materials.

         

 * Effective removal: The filter has been shown to be effective at removing PFAS, a group of harmful chemicals that are difficult to remove from water. It can also remove heavy metals.

 * Antimicrobial properties: The filter has antimicrobial properties that help to prevent it from becoming fouled by bacteria and fungi.

 * Sustainable solution: This new filter offers a sustainable solution to the problem of water contamination, as it is made from renewable resources and is biodegradable.

This new filter is still under development, but it has the potential to be a significant advancement in water filtration technology. It could provide a more affordable and sustainable way to remove harmful contaminants from drinking water.

         

Here are some additional details about the new water filter using natural silk:

 * How it works: The filter works by using a combination of physical and chemical processes. The silk fibers act as a physical barrier, trapping contaminants as water flows through the filter. The cellulose component of the filter can be modified to have a positive or negative charge, which helps to attract and remove contaminants with the opposite charge.

 * Manufacturing process: The filter is made using a self-assembly method. Silk fibroin, a protein found in silk, is suspended in water and then mixed with cellulose nanocrystals. The cellulose nanocrystals act as "seeds" that cause the silk molecules to line up and form a thin membrane.

         

 * Performance: In lab tests, the filter was able to remove a variety of contaminants from water, including PFAS, heavy metals, and bacteria. It was also shown to be effective at removing viruses.

 * Sustainability: The filter is made from renewable resources and is biodegradable. This makes it a more sustainable option than traditional water filters, which are often made from plastic and can take hundreds of years to decompose.

 * Potential applications: The filter has the potential to be used in a variety of applications, including household water filtration, municipal water treatment, and even in developing countries where access to clean water is limited.

Overall, the new water filter using natural silk is a promising development in the field of water filtration. It offers a sustainable and effective way to remove harmful contaminants from water.