Tanzanian entrepreneur develops innovative water filter

• Author: Catherine Jewell
• Position: Communications Division, WIPO

Dr. Hilonga who lectures at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, recently won the first Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation from the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering. The prize of GBP25,000 (TZS79 million) seeks to encourage talented engineers in sub-Saharan Africa to find solutions to local challenges and develop them into businesses.

Dr. Hilonga explains the significance of his invention and shares his aspirations for the future.

What inspired you to develop your water filter system?

The huge need in my community. I grew up in a very remote village in Tanzania and saw with my own eyes the suffering caused by waterborne diseases. Having obtained my PhD and published widely on nanomaterials, I asked myself what it all meant. At that point, I decided to apply my knowledge of nanomaterials to solve this problem in my community. That is how I come up with my Nanofilter®.

Who is it for?

Anyone can use the filter, but I am targeting rural areas in particular, because of their desperate need. In Tanzania today, out of every ten children who die, nine die from waterborne diseases. This is a huge challenge for the country as a whole, but the greatest need is in rural areas.

How does it work?

Slow sand filters have been used in water purification for over a hundred years. While they are effective in removing bacteria and some microorganisms from water – which is what I use them for – they cannot remove heavy metals, such as copper, fluoride, or other chemical contaminants. My patented filtration system combines a slow sand filter with a combination of nanomaterials made from sodium silicate and silver to eliminate toxic heavy metals. Water first passes through the sand and then through the nanomaterials. Whereas other water filters on the market offer a “one-size-fits–all” solution, the Nanofilter® can be calibrated to target and eliminate contaminants that are specific to a particular geographic region.

Each region has its own challenges when it comes to water. In some areas excessive fluoride in water, which has a devastating effect on teeth and bones, is a problem. In others, for example where mining takes place, the quality of the water is compromised by heavy metals like copper and mercury. The Nanofilter® uses nanomaterials to remove those contaminants that cannot be removed by sand. The water that passes through the Nanofilter® is clean and safe for drinking.

How much does a filter cost?

A filter...