Science


A 2004 report from the University of New Hampshire’s Water Treatment Technology Assistance Center (NE-WTTAC) states that: “Based on the results from this study, a properly functioning Nanomesh™ membrane unit can be an absolute barrier again passage of microbial contaminants without chemical addition and independent of both operating and water quality conditions. The complete removal of the smaller-sized MS2 bacteriophage implies absolute removals of larger-sized bacterial and protozoa pathogens for non-compromised membrane systems. Such a membrane barrier would satisfy microbial drinking water standards as outlined by the USEPA.” Since this study was conducted, Seldon has refined its nanomesh water filtration media and cartridge design to the point where, using the NSF P231 testing protocol, tests routinely demonstrate over 6 logs of bacteria removal (99.9999%) and over 4 logs of virus removal (99.99%) from contaminated water. A more recent third party test at NE-WTTAC (again using the NSF P231 test protocol) of Seldon’s Nanomesh™ showed that the filter’s performance met or exceeded the EPA standards for drinking water for up to 600 gallons (local flooding forced the test to be cut short). At Seldon, duplicating the third party’s test conditions as closely as possible, the filters under test continued to remove virus and bacteria from test waters up to 6,000 gallons.


Seldon’s Nanomesh™ filters are also capable of removing a wide range of additional contaminants including lead, arsenic, iodine, organic carbons, and radionucleotides (see product sheets for extended contaminant removal lists). The versatility of the carbon nanotube, this new form of carbon, permits Seldon to create targeted contaminant removals with its Nanomesh™. Thus Seldon has a platform technology upon which it will address specific water problems in industrial applications in the future.


Seldon has used both in-house and third party endotoxin analysis to verify the ability of Nanomesh™ water filtration media to remove endotoxins from water – a requirement for making the water safe for injection into the human body. In one basic test, three filters were challenged with a solution with an endotoxin concentration of 50 EU/ml. After passing through the filters, the endotoxin concentration level of the solution was reduced to below 0.06 EU/mL for two of the filters and below 0.12 EU/ml for the third. These removal rates correspond to an endotoxin log reduction rate of at least 2.9 and 2.6, respectively.



Field Testing


Seldon has conducted extensive field testing of its WaterBox™ (which included both operational and abuse tests). In two separate field training exercises with a Special Operations unit in North Carolina, Seldon’s WaterBox™ outperformed its competitors in terms of ease of use, robustness, actual and perceived water quality.

For the abuse tests, the Seldon WaterBox™ was dropped repeatedly from a height of 10’, repeatedly ejected from a vehicle moving at 20 to 30 mph, and submerged in water. During one ejection test, one of the five clasps used to secure the lid of the Seldon WaterBox™ came undone. Aside from scratches, this appeared to be the only change that occurred on the outside of the unit. After the submersion tests, only a very small amount of water leaked into the unit at the hinge between the lid and main part of the unit. Post-abuse operation of the WaterBox™ was normal.