MIT researchers have developed a portable, easy-to-use, and energy-efficient desalination unit that can turn seawater into drinking water that exceeds WHO quality standards. The suitcase-sized unit cleans water primarily through ion concentration polarisation (ICP), which takes advantage of positive and negative charges to repel salt molecules, bacteria, and viruses. Because it doesn’t require a powerful pump to push water through filters, the desalination unit only needs 20 watts of power per litre of clean drinking water. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
