Silver-infused Egg Albumin for Water Purification
Session Number
Project ID: ENGN 10
Advisor(s)
Dr. Mark Carlson, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Engineering
Start Date
17-4-2024 9:20 AM
End Date
17-4-2024 9:35 AM
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2 billion people are at risk of disease and death due to waterborne bacteria. Existing purification methods are costly, unreliable, or intended only for emergencies. We seek an affordable system that reduces bacterial contamination by 90%, provides 40 liters per day, and costs less than $20 annually. Biological proteins with disulfide linkages allow Ag+ to intercalate yet remain germicidal. Disks of egg albumin and intact bone marrow were investigated with the egg showing promise. A fine mesh constrained the egg patty at one end of a PVC tube while a gravity-fed solution of E. coli percolated through. Timed volume collection and colony counts were performed to assess performance. The flow rate from our current prototype, 600 ml/hr, is below the target. Work is ongoing to increase the flow using greater reservoir height without compromising the structural integrity of the egg patty and the killing efficiency, currently greater than 90%. Although the unit production cost is reasonable, it remains to be annualized. Before the device could be deployed in the developing world, its longevity would have to be assessed.
Silver-infused Egg Albumin for Water Purification
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2 billion people are at risk of disease and death due to waterborne bacteria. Existing purification methods are costly, unreliable, or intended only for emergencies. We seek an affordable system that reduces bacterial contamination by 90%, provides 40 liters per day, and costs less than $20 annually. Biological proteins with disulfide linkages allow Ag+ to intercalate yet remain germicidal. Disks of egg albumin and intact bone marrow were investigated with the egg showing promise. A fine mesh constrained the egg patty at one end of a PVC tube while a gravity-fed solution of E. coli percolated through. Timed volume collection and colony counts were performed to assess performance. The flow rate from our current prototype, 600 ml/hr, is below the target. Work is ongoing to increase the flow using greater reservoir height without compromising the structural integrity of the egg patty and the killing efficiency, currently greater than 90%. Although the unit production cost is reasonable, it remains to be annualized. Before the device could be deployed in the developing world, its longevity would have to be assessed.