We have already developed a working prototype for killing and removal of
E. coli from water. It is based on our synthesized nanocomposite, made
of Ag-Cu nanoparticle impregnated on granular activated carbon and
packed into a filter column, which is driven by gravity-head of the water
column. Consequently, it can continuously disinfect water in absence of
electricity, by the action of nanoparticles on the bacteria. 

In the current project, the aim is to further study the removal of heavy metals
and microplastics, by the same or related class of nanocomposites, as
these are all critical contaminants present in water. To this end, we have already demonstrated, adsorbents and nanoparticles which remove arsenic, lead, cadmium and microplastics to make the water potable, fir for drinking.

The final outcome
would be a modular water treatment device, usable for household drinking
water needs, by combining concepts of adsorption, reaction engineering,
fluid flow and functional design principles to make a zero-energy,
self-sufficient device. The work is mostly experimental with reasonable
scope of modeling, if the student is interested. They get to work and
learn in a multidisciplinary team of bio-sciences, chemical and mechanical  

engineering students, contributing to the overall goal of the project. 

The project was earlier funded by SERB, India.