Scientists in South Korea have created a powerful new material that can clean dirty water quickly and efficiently—without needing electricity.
This new technology not only removes harmful substances like phosphorus and bacteria but also recycles useful materials from the water, offering a promising solution to water shortages and pollution.
Every day, water goes through treatment plants to remove harmful substances before being released back into rivers.
In recent years, treated water has also been reused for homes and industries to help address growing water scarcity.
One of the key pollutants in wastewater is phosphorus, which comes from things like fertilizers, detergents, and animal waste. If not removed properly, phosphorus can cause large blooms of green algae in rivers and lakes, which damage the environment and make water unsafe.
A research team from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), led by Dr. Jae-Woo Choi and Dr. Kyungjin Cho, has developed a next-generation material that can recover phosphorus very quickly and also kill harmful microorganisms, such as total coliform bacteria.
Their work was published in the journal Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials.
What makes this material unique is its “sea urchin-like” nanostructure, which gives it a large surface area for absorbing phosphorus.
It can recover about 1.1 kilograms of phosphorus for every kilogram of material used—and it does this in just five minutes. The recovered phosphorus can then be reused in products like fertilizers and cleaning agents, helping to support a circular economy.
Even more impressive, the material can be moved and controlled using magnets. This means the system doesn’t need electricity to operate.
The magnetic control system not only saves over 99% of the energy compared to traditional water treatment methods, but it also lowers carbon emissions and energy costs. The system is also easy to clean and maintain, making it suitable for long-term use.
Because it doesn’t rely on power or complex equipment, this technology could be especially useful in rural areas or places without stable electricity. It can be used in many settings, including sewage and water purification plants, farms, factories, and even emergency water systems during natural disasters.
The researchers hope that this technology can also support other green industries, like smart farming and eco-friendly factories. Dr. Choi explained that combining phosphorus removal and disinfection into one step offers a powerful, low-energy solution for clean water. Dr. Cho added that the system works without chlorine or electricity, making it safer and more environmentally friendly.
This innovation could lead to the next generation of smart, sustainable water treatment around the world.
