Researchers Develop "Tea Bag" Water Filter 119
cybernanga writes "A group of researchers in South Africa has developed a filter that can purify water straight from the bottle. The filter sits inside a tube fitted on top of a bottle and purifies water as it is poured on a cup. From the article: 'The designer behind the filter, Dr Eugene Cloete, from the Stellenbosch University in South Africa, says the filter is only as big as an ordinary tea bag. He says the product is cost-effective and easy to use. "We are coming in here at the fraction of the cost of anything else that is currently on the market," says Dr Cloete on BBC World Service.'"
Re:Say it with me. (Score:3, Interesting)
The filter in the article is just an ordinary active carbon filter. This [ted.com] is waaay better.
These have been around (Score:1, Interesting)
http://www.campmor.com/aquamira-water-bottle-filter-kit.shtml?source=CI&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=25674WC
For example, is what I have had for years to take backpacking. And they aren't even expensive. I guess I don't see how this is innovative.
Re:The Clorox solution (Score:3, Interesting)
Yes but that solution doesn't remove any contaminants in the water; it only kills microbes.
The bleach will also break apart many kinds of contaminants, it won't remove heavy metals and whatnot, but I think bleach can break poisons.
Re:Copper water still (Score:3, Interesting)
I suppose the only problems would be the fuel (wood and other biofuel consumption would suddenly take a hike), training (operating the still), and maintenance (cleaning the crud out).
Materials, portability, scalability, possibility of being used by small children, safety of use, etc.
They're looking for something they can airdrop on refugees.
Re:Cue the conservativism jokes! (Score:1, Interesting)
Yes, the whole point of the TEA party is to give other people a group to demonize so that they won't turn on people in power. In two years when the presidency is up again there will be a ton of conservatives spouting TEA party lines to get elected. The people who really believe in minimalistic government and a return to the constitution won't be found in the media or any mainstream political party. Everyone in the "middle" just wants more control over us. When you vote democrat or republican all you're doing is deciding which area of your life gets the increased government control. Extremism is the only way we as a nation will accomplish anything meaningful with our political situation. Our history of moderation and compromise in everything has brought us to where we are today--a political hellscape of unimaginable proportions.
Re:Say it with me. (Score:2, Interesting)
I read that you can filter out e-coli or whatever common bacteria there was in water with a regular piece of cloth since the bacteria where grouped into bigger groups/particles.
Too lazy to try to find the magazine but maybe someone else know what I was supposed to talk about :D
Anyway, simple techniques can obviously be beneficial to, even if they won't solve all.