Workshop explores 'nanotechnology for water'

The NanoKTN 'Econano' focus group will develop an agenda to address environmental challenges such as remediation of water, air and materials sustainability.

The Econano launch event will focus on nanotechnology awareness for the whole supply chain.

The group will focus on how nanotechnology can help to meet many of the current environmental challenges, including pollution control and land and water remediation.

As the first in a series of events is aimed at raising awareness of the possibilities offered by nanotechnologies, 'Nanotechnology for water' will be of interest to a variety of industry sectors, including water utilities, materials and chemical processing, food and drink, pharmaceuticals and medical, international aid organisations, and sports and leisure.

The workshop will bring together the water industry, user industries, environmental industries and the research community to hear presentations from organisations such as Water UK, Anglian Water, British Water's Innovation Forum, Promethean Particles, proaqua, IWA and the universities of Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol and Cranfield.

Damian Lippok, head of innovations management at Proaqua, will discuss FE-Nanosit, a project focused on the development of an energy and resource-efficient treatment technology for waste water and contaminated ground water.

This involves the use of highly reactive nano materials and nano-scaled catalysts, to make use of the high potential of nanotechnology in water treatment.

Lippok's presentation will give a short introduction to the technology involved, and document the commercial potential, the current state of development and possible environmental impact.

'A number of nano-enabled water treatment products have already generated commercial success and there is a great opportunity for UK industry to exploit the results of academic research to develop innovative products,' said Martin Kemp, NanoKTN theme manager.

'With the commercialisation of nanomaterials and systems, cost-effective applications can now be realistically developed and Econano will seek to facilitate adoption of innovative solutions by end-user industries,' he added.

A limited number of 'commercial posters' and exhibition spaces are available for organisations to promote their products.