| Currently | Doppler | Live Cams | ||
|
|
|
||
| Forecast | 5-day | Closings/Delays | Traffic Report | ||||
03:28 PM PST on Friday, January 7, 2005
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - Victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami will soon
benefit from water purification devices the size of a marking pen that
were recently developed for the military.
Two companies that make the purifier and the Department of Defense are
sending 1,200 of the devices and instructors to Asia for the relief
effort.
The miniature purifier will make only a small difference there, but it
could aid many more victims of future disasters, including hurricanes
and floods, as its use spreads, said Frank Downs, a senior scientist at
the Panama City Naval Surface Warfare Center.
Downs helped develop the 3.5-ounce, shock- and freeze-proof MSR MIOX
Purifier made by Miox Corp. of Albuquerque, N.M., and Mountain Safety
Research Inc. of Seattle, Wash.
The device runs on a lithium camera battery and destroys common
waterborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa as well as
anthrax, bubonic plague, smallpox and other contaminants.
"It is the municipal water supply treatment process that's reduced down
to a small pen," Downs said. "It's the same process they use at the
water plant."
The device converts salt water into a solution similar to a chlorine
liquid disinfectant that then can be used to purify a gallon of drinking
water in about 45 minutes.
A few were distributed to Florida National Guard troops during hurricane
recovery efforts last year.
"The National Guard is looking at this technology now for the next
disaster we have in the U.S.," Downs said.
In disasters such as hurricanes municipal water systems usually are
restored first, but water still often needs to be boiled, he said. That
task can be difficult for those without electrical power. The miniature
purifier would reduce the need for bottled water, Downs said.
It is an improvement on iodine tablets used since World War II because
iodine doesn't kill all contaminants and leave water with a bad taste,
Downs said.
Miox introduced the technology in the 1990s. The Defense Advanced
Research Project Agency, or DARPA, then partnered with MIOX and MSR,
which makes outdoor gear, to develop the purifier.
Downs served as a technical assistant and liaison. He used military
troops to test it and identify changes needed before it went into
production.
Environmental Protection Agency certification was sought in 2002 so the
purifier could be sold commercially, which meant it could avoid
additional military testing and get to the troops quicker, Downs said.
More Biz/Tech
Most Read
Most Recommended
Most Commented
![]() | Used cars | Advice Sell a car Find a dealer |
![]() | ½ Price Deals Buy ½ price certificates here |
![]() | Fresh Ideas with Leigh Ann Fabulous summertime recipes »All recipes |
![]() | Looking for a great local job or a great local employee? »Click here to search |
![]() | Use our home search or condo map »Find a home »Explore new condos |













You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register Now!
You are logged in as screenname | Log Out
You are logged in, but do not have a "screen" name. Create a Screen Name