Effects of portable, manually powered ultra-violet water treatment

A novel, portable water purification device was developed that utilizes UV radiation at 254 nm as its primary mode of disinfection. This wavelength has been proven to deactivate all known bacteria, viruses, and protozoan water contaminants. The device operated solely on the power provided from a mechanical-electrical hand crank generator. The device proved effective in a study using E.coli as the target water contaminant. A maximum UV dosage of 13,000 muWs/cm² was supplied across the device, the dosage needed to kill all organisms. The effect of the UV device on bacteria disinfection was measured over time, and proved to kill all traces of E.coli within 35 seconds. Based on the UV dosage needed to kill the toughest pathogens, the device was shown to kill all dangerous pathogens within 70 seconds. The device provided a novel means to decontaminate water without the need for any external power, i.e. electricity or batteries. The device can be found useful in wilderness applications where external power sources are not accessible, and in third world homes where large-scale water purification systems are not provided by their governments.