MEDICA, a manufacturer of water purification systems, has partnered with the Graphene Flagship to develop the next generation of water filter technology.
Using the adsorption properties of graphene, the GRAPHIL filters can remove dangerous contaminants from water — a key objective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
Prototype filters will be demonstrated at Aquatech, the world’s leading water technology exhibition, held on November 2 to 5 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The GRAPHIL filters have been developed as part of a Graphene Flagship Spearhead Project — a series of projects that bring the scientific research achievements of graphene and related materials (GRMs) to the commercial market.
Bringing together the minds of scientists and industry leaders, the project has seen the rapid development of innovative water filter prototypes.
Due to the properties of graphene, the material favours the adsorption of organic molecules.
When used in filters, graphene allows the material to bind ions and metals, thus reducing the number of inorganic contaminants in water.
In Europe, common contaminants include pharmaceuticals, PFAS such as harmful perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and heavy metals.
Some of these contaminants are resistant to conventional purification technologies. The GRAPHIL filters will overcome this challenge.
Set for market release in early 2023, GRAPHIL filters will be able to connect directly onto a household sink.
They will also be able to be used as a portable water filtration device. The ultimate goal of the product is to ensure all households — regardless of their geographical location or environmental challenges — have access to safe water.
At Aquatech, the GRAPHIL filter prototypes will be exhibited at booth number 05.430, where experts from both MEDICA and the Graphene Flagship will also be available.
“GRAPHIL filters will meet the requirements of the European Drinking Water Directive (DWD 2020/2184 EU),” explained Alberto Goldoni, sales and marketing manager at MEDICA. “Prototyping is now complete, and we are excited to demonstrate these filters at Aquatech.
“From here, we are working on performance verification with assistance from the Italian National Research Council (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – CNR), the University of Manchester and Chalmers University in Gothenburg. Based on our successes so far, the filters are set to reach the market by 2023,” concluded Goldoni.
