Portable water purification system to remove bacteria and toxic metals
Official title: Innovative Point-of-Use Water Purification System: Portable, Scalable, Efficient, Easy-Use
Funded at Materials Nova Limited Liability Company · NIH-11237423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a handy water purification system that can clean harmful bacteria and toxic metals from natural water, making it safe for people to use, especially in emergencies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Materials Nova Limited Liability Company NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $55,000 |
| NIH project number | 3R43ES037145-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals and families living in areas with limited access to clean water or those affected by water contamination.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who already have reliable access to safe drinking water may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a portable water purification system that effectively removes harmful bacteria and toxic metals like lead and mercury from natural water sources. By utilizing innovative materials such as highly-branched graphite foam and high-frequency electric fields, the project aims to develop a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for individuals and households, especially in emergency situations. The research includes building a prototype, validating its performance in laboratory settings, and demonstrating its effectiveness in real-world applications. The team is also conducting market research to ensure the product meets the needs of potential users.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide safe drinking water to communities affected by contaminated water sources.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in developing water purification technologies, but this approach using graphite foam and electric fields is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Materials Nova Limited Liability Company
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Huifeng — Materials Nova Limited Liability Company
- Study coordinator: Li, Huifeng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Portable and efficient water purification system for safe drinking water
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use water purification system that can help people get safe drinking water, especially during climate disasters when regular water supplies are disrupted.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.