A low-cost, 3D-printed filter developed by researchers at Waterloo Engineering removes up to 90 per cent of harmful microplastics from water.
The efficiency of the customizable filter, created in a three-step process, makes it a promising, inexpensive device for both residential and commercial applications.
Researchers first designed disk filters to maximize contact with water flowing through them, then added a water-soluble polymer that washes away after printing, leaving behind pores at the nano and micro scales. Lastly, they added a pressure-sensitive adhesive that increases microplastic capture without blocking the pores.
“We explored using between eight and 20 filters stacked together,” said Dr. Tizazu Mekonnen, a chemical engineering professor at Waterloo. “With 20 filters, we removed 90 per cent of microplastics, a marked improvement over current filtering technologies.”
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