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Showing posts from March 26, 2017

Tanzanian entrepreneur develops innovative water filter

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SOURCE: WIPO MAGAZINE Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world, and like many countries in Africa, it faces acute water shortages. Although it borders three of Africa’s Great Lakes, many people, especially in remote rural areas, lack access to safe drinking water. All too often, both surface water and groundwater sources are contaminated with toxic heavy metals, bacteria, viruses and other pollutants from mining, industrial effluent and poor sewage systems. But there is hope. A local chemical engineer, Dr. Askwar Hilonga, has developed a low-cost customizable water filtration system that promises to transform the lives of many Africans. Having obtained his Ph.D., Dr. Hilonga (above) is using his knowledge of nanomaterials to develop the Nanofilter®. His aim: to improve  access to safe drinking water and to reduce the number of lives lost to waterborne diseases. (Photos: Dr. Askwar Hilonga) Dr. Hilonga who lectures at the Nelson Mandela African Insti