Coastal communities and travel enthusiasts from around the world have often pondered a common question: How can we transform the vast oceans that surround us into drinkable water?
While 75 percent of our planet is covered in water, only a mere 3 percent is potable, with the majority trapped in glaciers.
As freshwater supplies dwindle, the quest for sustainable solutions intensifies.
Meet Nanoseen, a Polish startup promising a revolutionary breakthrough.
Their team of scientists and engineers developed a device called NanoseenX that desalinates and purifies seawater without electricity.
The firm was founded in Sopot, later operated in Toruń, and then moved to the Gdynia Science and Technology Park, where it operates to this day.
Harnessing Nanotechnology for Pure Water
NanoseenX is not just another water purifier.
This innovative device employs nanomembrane technology, a groundbreaking method that purifies and desalinates water using only gravity, eliminating the need for added pressure energy.
"Thanks to our independently developed nanomembranes, we can provide drinking water in just two minutes," asserts Bartosz Kruszka, CEO and co-founder of Nanoseen.
This game-changing technology doesn't just focus on efficiency; it champions environmental sustainability.
The membranes used are biodegradable, ensuring they are harmonious with nature.
Furthermore, the system's energy-efficient nature means zero carbon dioxide emissions during operation, emphasizing its eco-friendly ethos.
But aren't there other water desalination technologies on the market?
"There are quite a lot of them," confirms Kruszka.
"The most widespread technology is reverse osmosis, which not only requires a lot of energy and pressure, but also the efficiency of this process is low."
"Therefore, it is obviously not very ecological. In addition, this know-how is very expensive, which means that many potential applicants simply cannot afford it."
"Other solutions are also available, but their common denominator is energy consumption and often low efficiency."
"NanoseenX is difficult to even compare to them - it is the first, very effective technology based solely on simple filtration using only gravity."
Diverse and Tailored Solutions
Diving deeper into NanoseenX's technical prowess, their laboratories boast a production of 20 different nanomaterials.
These are combined to create mixed matrix solutions, which form the essence of the NanoseenX nanomembranes.
With 30 distinct nanomembranes at their disposal, the startup can meticulously target and eliminate specific contaminants present in water sources.
"The flexibility of our nanotechnology allows us to customize sizes, thicknesses, and shapes of the nanomembranes. Whether for large industries or individual households, our solution caters to all," explains the founder.
Two basic sizes of membranes will be introduced to the market - the smaller ones will be addressed to a group of customers with lower demand, e.g., single-family houses, while the larger ones will be to larger organizations, such as manufacturing companies.
In general, however, Nanoseen is fully scalable and can be adapted to specific needs in the future.
The startup is focusing on mobile installations that can change the place of use, even though it plans to also offer "permanently fixed" installations.
Affordable and Accessible Clean Water
A concern that often plagues technological advancements is their affordability.
However, Kruszka is quick to assure that their device will be competitively priced, ensuring it's within reach for all global demographics.
"Our cutting-edge methods of synthesizing nanomaterials and nanomembranes allow us to maintain low production costs," he explains.
Their ambition is expansive yet noble: to grant everyone, everywhere, access to pure drinking water.
This includes cleansing water from seas, rivers, and lakes, and in the future, even reducing industrial liquid pollutants.
Currently, the company is navigating the bureaucratic maze of registration, certification, and B2B project implementation across continents.
"We are also interested in the ship and yacht industry," notes Bartosz Kruszka.
"It is possible that in the near future, small bottles or tubes for desalination of water will become essential items on floating vehicles, intended to increase the safety of passengers in the event of a breakdown or loss of communication - just like a fire extinguisher or a first aid kit in a car."
Adapting to Global Needs
Different regions have different challenges.
While one African nation might grapple with polluted rivers, others in Asia might require desalination solutions for smaller villages or even industrial-scale operations.
Meanwhile, many other countries in the world are also struggling with water problems - including the most developed ones, such as the United States, Singapore, Israel, Sweden, and Spain.
Poland is also at the bottom of Europe when it comes to access to drinking water.
NanoseenX's approach is highly individualized, adjusting to the unique physicochemical parameters of each project.
And they're not stopping there.
With a dedication to continuous improvement, the Polish scientists behind NanoseenX are currently researching ways to enhance their nanomembranes.
Their goal? To tackle a broader range of pollutants and higher water salinity levels.
The company plans to accelerate product development and start mass production soon with global sales of NanoseenX devices.
In the beginning, however, it will focus on the Polish market and the markets of the Baltic Sea area - Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, and Germany.