Prayagraj: At a time when India’s rivers and groundwater are battling an invisible flood of pharmaceutical waste, industrial chemicals and toxic residues, a team of Indian scientists unveiled a breakthrough that could redefine wastewater treatment. A newly developed nano-reactor device, powered simply by sunlight, can dismantle hazardous pollutants that conventional treatment plants routinely fail to remove, offering fresh hope to water-stressed cities and industrial hubs.The nano-reactor, recently granted patents by both India and the United Kingdom, is designed to eliminate toxic pharmaceutical residues, pesticides, dyes and heavy metals from wastewater. Unlike traditional treatment systems that depend heavily on chemicals and electricity, this device operates at normal temperature and pressure, uses sunlight as its energy source, and does not generate harmful by-products. The result is a low-cost, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable solution for treating hazardous wastewater.The technology works through an advanced light-driven process that breaks down complex and dangerous contaminants into harmless substances such as water and carbon dioxide. Experts involved in the project said the device is especially relevant for treating wastewater released by hospitals and industries, which often contains persistent pollutants that slip through existing treatment systems and eventually contaminate rivers and groundwater.The innovation is of minimal operational cost, jointly developed by scientists from the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), New Delhi, the University of Allahabad and the Central Institute of Tibetan Studies under the “Make in India” initiative. The dual patents underline both the novelty of the technology and its global applicability.Director IUAC, Prof Avinash C Pandey, said, “The nano-reactor is a significant step towards developing indigenous solutions for water purification, as access to clean water remains one of India’s most pressing challenges, particularly in metropolitan and industrial regions.”Sraddha Shukla of the University of Allahabad highlighted that the device follows a green treatment approach capable of breaking down complex organic pollutants without causing secondary pollution. By converting harmful contaminants into non-toxic substances, she said, the treated water becomes safer for reuse or discharge.Himanshu Pandey from the Central Institute of Tibetan Studies stressed the wider global relevance of the invention. Existing wastewater systems worldwide, he noted, struggle to tackle emerging pollutants like pharmaceutical compounds and heavy metals.
