SRU takes lead in ceramic water filtration
Researchers prepare to teach method to world
By Rachel Seeman
Issue date: 11/11/05 Section: News
Slippery Rock University is gaining world-wide recognition for ceramic water filter technology.
A group of potters, engineers and inventors met Sunday at SRU to gather and collaborate on their ideas about their research with ceramic water filtration.
"Combining the talent we have in ceramics, international business, water quality research and ecology, our goal will be to create micro-businesses exportable around the world," SRU President Robert Smith said in an article published in the Butler Eagle.
Richard Wukich, an SRU art professor and a leading campaigner for worldwide expansion of the filter system said, "The water situation is the prime problem we have to solve."
In 2000, Wukich said he became involved in this project when he took students to Nicaragua where they worked in a filter factory. Since then, he has become more involved in setting up factories in Iraq and Sudan.
Wukich said he is going back to Iraq in December to attempt to build three filter factories that will be Iraqi owned and operated.
"We are the first university to be involved with the water filter," Wukich said.
Smith saw the opportunity to bring water filter research to the university to have a bigger international presence, Wukich said.
"There is a real need to train water filter technicians," Wukich said.
The university hopes to involve all departments on campus, such as education, business, communication and ceramics in the project. People need to be educated on how to manage the business, market it, as well as learn how to test the filters and keep from re-infecting the water, Wukich said.
Srinivasa B. Mani, a professor of the sociology, anthropology and social work wants to set up a water filter factory in India that is woman owned, Wukich said.
We are concentrating on San Jose, Honduras, Wukich said because there are extensive medical records that show parasites in patients.
Wukich said they would "set up community development project where people work to earn filters."
A group of potters, engineers and inventors met Sunday at SRU to gather and collaborate on their ideas about their research with ceramic water filtration.
"Combining the talent we have in ceramics, international business, water quality research and ecology, our goal will be to create micro-businesses exportable around the world," SRU President Robert Smith said in an article published in the Butler Eagle.
Richard Wukich, an SRU art professor and a leading campaigner for worldwide expansion of the filter system said, "The water situation is the prime problem we have to solve."
In 2000, Wukich said he became involved in this project when he took students to Nicaragua where they worked in a filter factory. Since then, he has become more involved in setting up factories in Iraq and Sudan.
Wukich said he is going back to Iraq in December to attempt to build three filter factories that will be Iraqi owned and operated.
"We are the first university to be involved with the water filter," Wukich said.
Smith saw the opportunity to bring water filter research to the university to have a bigger international presence, Wukich said.
"There is a real need to train water filter technicians," Wukich said.
The university hopes to involve all departments on campus, such as education, business, communication and ceramics in the project. People need to be educated on how to manage the business, market it, as well as learn how to test the filters and keep from re-infecting the water, Wukich said.
Srinivasa B. Mani, a professor of the sociology, anthropology and social work wants to set up a water filter factory in India that is woman owned, Wukich said.
We are concentrating on San Jose, Honduras, Wukich said because there are extensive medical records that show parasites in patients.
Wukich said they would "set up community development project where people work to earn filters."
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