Researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) have successfully invented an outdoor water filter with dual-functionality of filter-sensor of copper in drinking water. The water filtration system, known as ‘Outdoor Water Filter with SMART BEADS’, is also able to monitor the amount of heavy metal in the water and simultaneously detect the amount of chemical contamination in it.

The innovation is to address the concern of excessive copper content in the body. Excessive copper ions in the body can affect human health and cause many diseases such as Alzheimer's and human inflammatory disorders.

Although copper is an important chemical element in the environment and the human body because it forms red blood cells and nourishes nerve cells and promotes healthy immune, an excessive amount can result in adverse effects to the body. This innovation was made after realizing that the public may be concern about the level of copper ion in drinking water not meeting the safety standard of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The innovation of dual-functional water filter is beneficial to consumers, especially for those facing the water pollution dilemma. The prototype includes filtration and sensing of copper ions in drinking water which could be done by using a single water filtration system that simultaneously detects the toxic level in the water.

This dual-functional device uses a nanomaterial known as 'Versatile Graphene', which is produced through a simple, economical and environmental friendly approach. The findings of this innovation in utilizing 3D printing for device fabrication can be a building block for the next generation of energy architecture.

The product Versatile Graphene bagged the top Researcher Entrepreneur Award at the Malaysian Commercialization Year (MCY) 2018 in conjunction with the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2018). The innovation, on the other hand, won the Best Invention for Household Product Category at the International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2019.

Sumber gambar: Berita Harian 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Janet Lim Hong Ngee and Dr. Izwaharyanie Ibrahim (right) show a dual-function water filter that can remove heavy metals in drinking water known as 'Outdoor Water Filter With Smart Beads'.

This article was reported in Berita Harian on May 15, 2019.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Janet Lim Hong Ngee
Matertials Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory
Institute of Advanced Technology, UPM
hongngee@upm.edu.my

Date of Input: 27/05/2019 | Updated: 01/08/2019 | nursyahirah