Research Summary
Nanobubbles—gas-filled bubbles in water that have diameters of less than one micrometre—have the potential to transform water treatment. For example, ozone (O3)-containing nanobubbles can significantly decrease the energy needed for—and the emission created during—water disinfection and reuse processes. However, generating these nanobubbles is energy-intensive. As Canada Research Chair in Analytical and Aquatic Chemistry, Dr. Susana Kimura-Hara aims to make the use of O3 nanobubbles in water treatment widespread.
She and her research team are using a revolutionary technology that requires 100 to 1,000 times less energy to generate O3 nanobubbles than current methods. They are also investigating the use of these nanobubbles to degrade micropollutants in drinking water and wastewater reuse processes and evaluating their potential in disinfection processes. Ultimately, their research will promote water sustainability by accelerating the application of O3 nanobubbles.