Patna: Researchers at Aryabhatta Knowledge University (AKU) in Bihar have developed a low-cost water purification system using discarded eggshells, offering a potential solution to contamination by arsenic, fluoride and other harmful elements.
The technology, created by researchers at the university’s School of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, has been granted a patent by the Government of India.
The team, led by Dr Abhay Kumar Aman along with Dr Rakesh Kumar Singh and researcher Ashutosh Kumar, converted eggshells into calcium oxide nanoparticles capable of removing toxic substances from water.
According to the researchers, the nano-sized particles can absorb contaminants such as arsenic, fluoride and lead, while also neutralising bacteria and pathogens, making water safer for consumption.
The development comes amid growing concerns over water pollution in parts of India, particularly in regions along the Ganga basin, including Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, where contamination remains a major public health issue.
Researchers said the device is designed to be environmentally friendly, using natural ingredients such as lemon and aloe vera, and avoiding synthetic materials typically used in conventional purification systems.
The system is also designed for ease of use in low-resource settings. Weighing around 3kg, it can purify approximately one litre of water in five minutes and can operate without electricity, though it also supports powered use where available.
Dr Singh said work on the project began in 2016, with the patent application filed in June 2023.
The university is now preparing to scale up the technology for wider deployment, with plans to bring the purifier to market in the near future.
