Smart water filter uses sunlight, vibrations & AI to destroy pollutants

Researchers at INST Mohali have developed an eco-friendly, AI-optimized water filter that uses sunlight and vibrations to break down toxic dyes in industrial wastewater. Built using 3D-printed biodegradable scaffolds coated with Bismuth Ferrite, the system removed nearly 99% of pollutants like Congo Red, outperforming current methods while being low-cost, reusable, and sustainable.

Image Source: Freepik

We may soon have access to a water filter that not only traps pollutants but also destroys them using sunlight, gentle vibrations, and a touch of artificial intelligence (AI).

Industries such as textiles and pharmaceuticals often release wastewater containing toxic dyes like Methylene Blue and Congo Red. These dyes not only discolor water but also pose serious health and environmental threats, causing skin irritation, respiratory issues, and ecological damage. Existing treatments use chemical and electrochemical oxidation methods, which are energy-intensive and rely on costly, hazardous chemicals.

Researchers at the Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (INST), Mohali — an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology — have developed a sustainable alternative. They designed a 3D-printed scaffold using biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA), a material known for its piezo-photocatalytic properties.

Dr. Aviru Basu coated the scaffold with Bismuth Ferrite (BiFeO₃), a catalyst that can break down pollutants when exposed to light and mechanical force. “This combination of Scaffold & Catalyst,” published in Nano Energy (Elsevier), enables piezo-photocatalysis — a process where both sunlight and gentle vibrations activate the catalyst. The vibrations keep the system functional even on cloudy days, making it a smart and continuous purification method.

To enhance efficiency, the team trained artificial neural network models to predict system performance across various conditions. These models achieved up to 99% accuracy, helping fine-tune operations.

The system removed 98.9% of Congo Red and 74.3% of Methylene Blue from wastewater — outperforming several high-end treatment technologies. The innovation is low-cost, biodegradable, reusable, scalable, and avoids chemical waste, making it ideal for industries and rural areas alike. It runs on renewables, leveraging light and vibrations instead of fossil fuels.

The researchers synthesized the BFO catalyst via the sol-gel method, 3D-printed the PLA scaffolds, conducted coating and dye degradation tests, and built machine learning models to optimize the system. This innovation was reported by the Ministry of Science and Technology on the Press Information Bureau (PIB).