- 19 February 2007 -

Ceramic nanotubes could filter HIV

Scientists at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia have developed specially designed ceramic membranes for nanofiltration that could remove viruses from water, air and blood – including the HIV virus.

Preliminary research into the ceramic membranes, also known as nano-mesh, have reportedly proved them successful in removing viruses from water.

"If we can remove compounds from liquids and viruses from water, then there may also be potential to remove HIV from blood," says Associate Professor Huaiyong Zhu, from QUT's School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, who is leading the development.

"It is scientifically known that a mesh structure is the most efficient form of filtration and we are the first group to successfully construct such a structure on a nanometre scale with ceramic fibres," he added. "This modification has increased the rates of flow that pass through the membranes by at least ten times compared with current ceramic membranes, while maintaining the efficiency of capturing over 96% of the unwanted particles."

www.qut.edu.au