Biofiltration -- clean water for everyone: Uzair Mohammed at TEDxUCSD

Uzair Mohammed, a second-year bioengineering student at UC San Diego, shares his invention: a revolutionary "biofiltration" device that is grown by bacteria in sugar water that provides clean water at a fraction of the cost, and reminds us that anyone can do what he did with just a little vision and dedication.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@ghazikhan101]

Biofilter layer is automatically formed over fine sand filter layer in a few days. Such filters are called Bio Sand Filters and there are a lot of pics and methods to make it in google images. Thousands of units were sold in Africa. The bacteria may be enhanced by providing them with sugar as a quick starter food however it is just an acceleration method. Kindly see details using query Bio-sand Filter to find details.

[@abhijeetdeshmukh4034]

Will you please share all the details regarding bio sad filter

[@SusanSmithwaterjustice]

This is a take-off on slow sand filters used to purify drinking water in my city (Salem, OR) and many other places. On top of the sand, a biological mat forms which eats pathogens. They must be periodically scraped because the biological mat gets clogged by suspended solids. Once scraped, it takes a few days for the biological mat to reform. (every 2 weeks, if I recall correctly). It is an extremely cheap way to provide clean water. But the source water cannot be too turbid or the filters will clog too quickly.

[@HenrySwayze]

I suspect a well developed soil with at least some mycelium will provide this filtration. Australian scientist Walter Jehne cals that soil the soil-carbon-sponge. Oh it will also reduce drought and floods with their pollution run off and grow more nutrient dense foods.

[@sunuv2guns]

Interesting approach. Would love to see some research, especially about the safety of the bacteria. How stable is it/how eagerly does it mutate? Will it survive in the wild when it inevitably escapes?

[@MrAndy]

Such a simple idea with massive potential

[@pitbull6740]

demonstrate the making of the filter

[@rahimtamer8176]

Tedx should follow up with the issue. It is useless that someone come along with an idea ,talks too much but then nothing happened

[@sunyhyd]

That is why TED has become a platform only for wealthy corporates who can push their products on masses.

[@mirzafaisalbaig]

your research will not lead any company to make money.. then you will not get exposure to market.. But man, you have not given the bacteria source?? I will salute to see this in practical approach.

[@SaqibMohammad117]

This is great! What a novel idea to an age old problem.

[@bijendrayadav6178]

Dear Uzair, it looks very nice to say that bacteria will make a filter mesh and clean the polluted water to drinking water . with a consistent supply of nutrient this process will continue . can you explore which bacteria is able to act as biofilter . it does not look practical . let you elaborate it in more refine way .

[@neandershaul]

Why is there zero information to be found about finding the bacteria on the open market????

[@missjane8486]

Yeah I thought of the same thing. I on my final year project and this topic is interesting. It's difficult to identify which microbe to be use though....

[@head85]

I believe it is just bacteria from normal surroundings that cause food to go bad. I believe what he produced is the byproduct of kombucha tea

[@fatmah0575]

@@missjane8486 as me i am interested in this topic.. if you finish doing that project I want to know more about it from your experience if you’re not mind 😅 email or something else

[@justoneda5317]

Big problem with this tiny filter size pore which is really needed you will need a pressure differential to go through as the bacteria and other contaminates start plugging in. To create a reasonable flow rate. You going to need so source of energy like huge elevation fluid column pressure or you are back to square one you will need a pump and consequently electricity You the appropriated container geometry to effectively hold the living filter in place while it is flowing the contaminated water I really think that conceptually it is is an attractive idea but you really have to do better showing that the solution is practical and simple to implement something that I really think it can be done Please do a follow up in a more detail way towards development and implementation details thanks but it proactively happening Justo R&D oil and gas

[@rayanperera91]

My thought exactly! Additional to your comment a filter of this small pore size is not very convenient to use in Dead End Filtration technique since it is more vulnerable for scaling and fouling. If this is used for Cross Flow Filtration, again the purpose of the innovation would be not achievable as it requires more differential pressure to operate.

[@sugarifybombify]

what happen to the contaminated biofilter? does it decompose itself?

[@sunitadwarka347]

Please contact Maharashtra government . India. We are facing drought , We need your service. Insha Allah. Is it really possible. Namh shivay.

[@almapayawan84]

Amazing! global solution discovered

[@TJDASHDASH]

I wonder if he is talking about the kombucha SCOBI. Pity the talk was a bit vague.

[@wyattolsen7562]

This is a really cool idea but I would like to see it in application. It looks like the biofilter is really just a solution for the membrane. How would the rest of the filter be constructed? This seems like an in home product for minimal water needs. Could it be used in municipal water treatment systems that are more large scale?

[@Alphatreeyyyy]

Why not just use Morringa Tree seeds. Its renewable and can remove heavy metals better than any man-made chemical filter. And its beyond easy to use and the trees can also help stop malnutrition.

[@fatmah0575]

How?

[@danf4447]

brilliant

[@arshikhur6773]

so what is the bacteria? where is it? why is it not avaliable yet?

[@scott98390]

arshi khur My thoughts exactly. Apparently this is another great idea that is going nowhere fast - there's no business model. Once the bacteria is released, they can't profit from it - people will just share it.

[@aylahickey3829]

Scott I think that might be the idea behind this.....not $$$, clean water. Try researching his work.

[@ummsaalih4579]

it's that the point?

[@sanatanar]

This is being used in a very undetectable place for a long time now. Aquaponics filtration is mainly based on this technology.

[@mhillvo]

Flint, Michigan.

[@aprilgalvan1659]

yeah, what happened to it? where is Uzair now? How come no more information on this?

[@marias.5682]

Can it filter also saltwater to become drinkable water? And does it filter medicine out of the water?

[@jeremywade9343]

Use sand/carbon filters and if light to sterilize the water.

[@caifanes6605]

He is using kombucha I'll give it a try

[@aprilb3518]

I was thinking the same thing :) Did you try the bucha filter?!

[@der_teemo5300]

which mycelium species is he using exactly?

[@abhishekupadhyay8594]

hey did you get anything?

[@mrknesiah]

Pores not small enough to capture viruses or chemical contaminants. It’s a good first stage.

[@bw4048]

is he talking about kombucha scoby?

[@jeremywade9343]

Mushrooms can eat the hydrocarbons readily oil sequel and turn it into nutritious food. Medicine?

[@ianribeiro7019]

Soooo...is that kombucha?

[@brianallen8489]

no mention of heavy metals ,,the real problem

[@accaciagame1706]

Only in the west and urban areas

[@JohnDoe_1237]

wow and - epic and WOW but uhm, no "project" to spend money and give this bacteria to the people which needs it? :(

[@rukhsaardahoo5033]

How does bacteria kill bacteria

[@Nexus2UAll]

Almost 4 years since this video was made and still no product! Did it fail? Why nothing happened?

[@ismailabdi4033]

Pecon reverse osmosis process Israel has

[@KaariaJason]

Where do I get the bacteria?

[@mhillvo]

Today, please.

[@fatmah0575]

I want to contact him.. does anyone know him?

[@gregnewsom447]

This guy's voice sounds like a young Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day.

[@fuk2867]

Wouldnt it be easier to just have those bacteria in our water reservoirs JUST A QUESTION

[@redincard]

no, because they require highly controlled environment with sufficient food source and temperature. Also, more predator and competition in the water reservoirs.

[@roystonang947]

U talk much, n not share nor show in the vidoo as to how to grow this filter lol. Waat a waste of time. Since it is cheap n oo easily available, any scientific research done or test done or whatever? Ccome on u gotta do more thbn just talk n show simple slides without concrete results.

[@siddhantgavit9358]

carryminati