Water Purification & Desalination Using Graphene - A Call To Action

Methods

Summary

Following the MS-2 Protocols and working with NSF for adherence to National and International protocols is our long-term focus. This project will deal primarily with testing for harmful bacteria and other known contaminants, also for desalination using standardized tests (against sodium chloride) and as previously mentioned the MS-2 protocols for water safety.
The testing will be conducted at The Umpqua Research Facility and Lab. In addition we may test at the University Of Oregon on an as needed basis and where budget allows.

Challenges

Potential challenges to project completion include; adhering to and maintaining production standards when finding a fabricator for our prototype in the final stages of the project. Design challenges may come into play for a scaled up mass produced or industrial version down the line. Having a working prototype to take to the next stage in our mission to bring this device  - and with it clean potable water - to communities that lack this vital basic resource is our primary aim.

Pre Analysis Plan

We will be testing multiple samples/batches from various sources.
Naturally when testing the h2o each sample will be different. Therefor the results across samples may be different. We expect that all samples should fall below the testing criteria threshold in ppm and ppb for any known contaminants, in accordance with standard water testing & filtration guidelines. (As tested for in the MS-2 Protocol) If a single sample varies and tests above the threshold for such harmful contaminants, methodologies will be analyzed for adherence to field testing requirements of the material/mesh and barrier and proper device usage. The sample will then be retested as necessary. Keeping the field testing team small, should reduce the possibility of error in this regard, particularly through maintaining uniformity of testing.

Test logs will be maintained in the field along with accurate video or pictorial records. 
Each of these field tests will be reviewed internally to ensure testing accuracy and methodology adherence prior to submitting samples to the lab.

Additionally, if water purification standards are not adequately met while desalination is achieved, the filtration aspect may be further developed in subsequent testing rounds.