Revolutionary Wood-Based Technology Purifies Water with Ease.

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a new biobased material, a form of powder based on cellulose nanocrystals to purify water from pollutants, including textile dyes. The cellulose powder filter absorbs the pollutants, and sunlight entering the treatment system causes them to break down quickly and efficiently. The method will be tested in India, where large amounts of dyes are released into lakes, rivers, and streams every year. The researchers see good opportunities to further increase the degree of purification and use cellulose nanocrystals for the treatment of other water pollutants than dyes.