Scientists develop a filter remove viruses from water

Scientists at Uppasala University, Sweden, in collaboration with German virologists have developed cellulose nanofiber sheets to remove viruses from water. Nanocellulose filter paper termed “mille-feuille filter” because they have a layered structure resembling the French pastry mille-feuille, will be able to remove even small-sized viruses.

The new structured nanocellulose sheets are affordable filters that not only can remove viruses but can have long life, according to Uppasala University. Compared to tea bag kind of cellulose filters, these filters have pore structures that can filter viruses that are normally resistant to physical and chemical countermeasure processes.

The team was led by Prof. Albert Mihranyan who collaborated with virologists from Charles River, Cologne, Germany. Early in 2014, the researchers presented filters that can capture large-sized viruses, such as the influenza virus. According to Mihranyan, their goal is to develop filter paper that can remove viruses from water as easily as brewing coffee.

Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., is a professor in the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory, Texas Tech University