1. Nanotechnology & Water Treatment
Jenna Wren

2. Why is it important?
Currently, over 600 million people are suffering from water scarcity. At the rate that we are using our available fresh water, in 2025 almost 3 billion people will be suffering from water scarcity.

3. What is being done to give us healthy, drinkable water?
Nanotechnology is being incorporated into three areas in water treatment:
The actual purification of water
Detecting water contaminants &
Preventing pollution

4. Water Purification
This can be done with polymeric nanofiltration membranes

5. Nanofiltration What does it do?
It removes up to 99% of all solutes in unclean water. Such as calcium and magnesium ions.
How does it work?
It uses high pressure to separate contaminant's from the water. Water is pushed through a membrane with tiny holes which are no larger than, ( 5 micron) so that bacteria, viruses and other unwanted contaminants to be removed. Then healthy materials can pass through.

6. Detecting Water Contaminants
There are many ways detect water contamination, but nanotechnology provides an inexpensive, simple way to do this.
HOW?
Several layers of single-walled carbon nanotubes are placed in sheets of paper to test the water. The paper is dipped into the water and if it is contaminated then the electrical response of the paper reflects the type of contaminants in the water.

8. Preventing Pollution!
Nanosensors, which convey information about the microscopic world, are used to better the agricultural environment so that viruses and other plant pathogens can be controlled to deliver nutrients and pesticides when it’s needed. By doing this, nanotechnology could minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides and in turn reduce agricultural pollution and run-off so our water is safer.

9. Conclusion
Nanotechnology can improve our water through contaminant detection, water purification, and the prevention of further pollution. It is relatively inexpensive and it will ultimately slow down the progress of our deteriorating water sources. Nanotechnology has the potential to save people all over the world.