Belarusian scientists present unique water purification materials in Dubai

MINSK, 3 February (BelTA) – The Physical-Organic Chemistry Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus presented unique materials and technologies for cleansing water from heavy metals (nickel, cobalt, lead, iron) and organic substances during the Belarusian Science Days, which took place in Dubai on 2-3 February as part of the World Expo 2020, the NASB press service told BelTA.

The Physical-Organic Chemistry Institute has developed and makes fibrous ion-exchange polymeric materials, cartridges, and equipment based on them. The institute has developed polymeric hollow-fiber membranes, modules based on them, and membrane equipment for purifying water for heat power engineering systems, for treating wastewater and surface water.

Reinforced hollow-fiber membranes, which boast increased mechanical strength, were presented during the Belarusian Science Days. Such membranes have been used to develop frameless submersible modules, which can be used as part of membrane bioreactors for removing purified water from the system, in wastewater and natural water treatment processes, industrial and portable water treatment systems. Various types of integrated membrane processes and the corresponding equipment were also presented. Among other technologies the equipment relies on ozonation, coagulation, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration.

Apart from that, Belarusian scientists presented the latest R&D products. Sergei Gubkin, Director of the Physiology Institute, a corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, talked about the academy's high-tech R&D products in the area of monitoring of vital human body functions and COVID-19 prevention. Director of the R&D center for multifunctional unmanned complexes Yuri Yatsyna delivered a report on the unmanned aerial systems the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus makes.

The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is a participant of the collective section that features R&D products and innovative products in Belarus' national exposition during the World Expo 2020. The concept of the expo provides for demonstrating the latest R&D products using digital means of communication – an electronic catalog (infokiosk) and by using full-scale exhibition samples. The National Academy of Sciences presented 81 R&D products developed by 15 subordinate organizations at the exhibition, including two full-scale samples: an unmanned aerial vehicle Busel M40 (the R&D center for multifunctional unmanned complexes) and a 4D bioprinter (the Physiology Institute).