Page 31 - Blog

The Amazon region in the province of Sucumbíos, Ecuador has been affected by millions or potentially billions of gallons of oily waste brought by the activities of the oil industry operating in the region since the early ‘70s.[1] Maricela Granda, a 25-year-old environmental biotechnology engineer from Sucumbíos, hopes to contribute in securing water supply for the region with a new idea. She observed the structure of the banana pseudostem (“false trunk” of the banana plant that is cut down and discarded during harvest period) and investigated its potential use in purifying the oil-contaminated waters in her locality.[2][3][4] Collaborating with universities, institutions, and like-minded youth, Ms. Granda developed a filter containing banana pseudostem intended to absorb hydrocarbon contaminants from water. Currently, her team is now working on a final design that will meet all water quality parameters in accordance to standards of the World Health

Pore size rating is among the key selection criteria for membrane filters as it indicates the extent of particle size (including microorganisms) that can effectively be retained in a filtration application. With its importance, manufacturers are compelled to provide pore size ratings as accurately as possible.

Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust causes debilitating and often fatal lung diseases. Silicosis, its primary manifestation, leads to scarring and hardening of the lungs, which makes it difficult for the affected person to breathe. Exposure occurs when rock-based materials are cut, crushed, or blasted, forming fine particles of RCS. These are typically encountered in the construction, mining, and abrasive blasting industries, to name a few. Consequently, workers from these industries are at high risk from the dangers of inhaling RCS.

Home to some 10.5 million residents, the City of Chennai off the coast of Bengal Bay in southeastern India is currently facing its worst water crisis yet, dubbed as Day Zero.[1] The coastal city is the first to fall victim to day zero as its four main water reservoirs have gone dry.

The National Association of Scientific Materials Managers (NAOSMM) will be holding its 46th Annual Conference & Trade Show, July 27 to August 2, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We are excited to participate in this trade show for the 6th consecutive year and look forward to meeting you all at our booth, No. 23! We’re also looking forward to co-sponsoring the Tuesday Evening Out event at the show, as part of the Independent Laboratory Distributors Association (ILDA).

With around 220 million infected in 2017, schistosomiasis (“snail fever”) remains a major public health concern, especially in the endemic regions of Africa which account for about 90% of cases worldwide [1]. Schistosomiasis is caused by tiny, parasitic flatworms carried and released by certain species of freshwater snails. Infection occurs when individuals come into contact with contaminated water. The disease burdens low-income communities in developing regions with poor access to safe sources of water and sanitary facilities.

Tune in to Sterlitech’s upcoming live webinar this August 12, at 8:00 am PST. Join our membrane experts, Dr. Sepideh Jankhah and Dr. Sara Azari, as they equip you with the practical knowledge and skills to help you choose the right polymeric flat sheet membrane for your next application.

The Western Cape Province of South Africa has been afflicted with severe drought for three consecutive years starting in 2015, brought about by El Niño and very low rainfall ⁽¹⁾. Consequently, this drought resulted in water shortage in different areas of the province such as the Hessequa Municipality.

To alleviate the water shortage, the municipality of Hessequa together with the French Treasury, funded the construction of a reverse osmosis plant energized by solar power—prospected to be the first of its kind in South Africa ⁽²⁾. The solar desalination plant, which will collect water from the Breede River Estuary, is expected to produce 100,000 liters of water per day ⁽³⁾.

Starting its operation in December 2018, the Witsand Desalination Plant has since then produced more than 10 million liters of drinking water, providing consistent water supply to some 3,000 residents of  Hessequa ^{(4, 5)}. Apart from addressing water shortage, the solar desalination plant can contribute to reducing

Chemker 300 and Rocker 300C are among Sterlitech’s popular vacuum pumps offering excellent chemical resistance. Both pumps are resistant to acid, alkali, and organic solutions, which allows for a wide variety of microbiology testing applications.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) serves as their primary protection against harsh chemicals; however, there designs incorporate PTFE differently. The diaphragm and chamber of Rocker 300C are PTFE-coated, built with a valve made of a chemical resistant SS316 stainless steel. In contrast, all parts of Chemker 300 that can be exposed to chemicals are made of PTFE.

While the PTFE coating of Rocker 300C is made to be durable, it can wear off over time exposing the underlying material, especially if used with abrasive substances. Also, its stainless-steel valve does not offer the same level of resistance as PTFE, especially with halides, and strong acids and bases (1).

Chemker 300C avoids all these potential issues by having its parts completely made of