SWNTs remove bacteria and viruses from water

From nanotechweb.org: tech update:

A few cents worth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) could be sufficient to stop viral and bacterial pathogens in their tracks and provide a point-of-use treatment for contaminated water. That's the view of Menachem Elimelech, director of Yale University's environmental engineering program. Single-walled carbon nanotubes in action Last year, the US-based group showed that direct contact with SWNTs can deactivate bacteria (see related story - Carbon nanotubes render E. coli inactive) and now the researchers are busy putting their findings to use in the lab. The team's prototype filter consists of a polymer microporous membrane covered with a thin layer (2-6 µm) of SWNTs. The design allows high-water fluxes and low operating pressures, which will help to keep operating costs down.

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