A major chunk of the population of the world is facing the problem of dirty water, which is the cause of numerous deaths. To tackle this, researchers have created a technique that purifies water in just a single step, regardless of how dirty the water is.

Scientists from Australian research organization CSIRO developed a new technique through a graphene film with microscopic nano-channels that blocks the pollutants and allows the water pass through, a process they call ‘Graphair’.

As compared to the other water filtration techniques, this process is cheaper, faster and more environment friendly to make. Engadget reports, around 2.1 billion people in the world do not have access to clean, safe drinking water. This process could provide a breakthrough and could prove to have a huge effect on people.

Wood can now be used to filter water

“All that’s needed is heat, our graphene, a membrane filter and a small water pump. We’re hoping to commence field trials in a developing world community next year,” said the lead author Dr. Dong Han Seo.

Seo informed that the team is currently in search of industry partners so that they can scale up their technology. The team is also working on other applications for Graphair such as seawater and industrial sewage filtration, according to Science Alert.