research & development
We’re home to some of the top scientists and engineers in the country, and a world-class team of individuals dedicated to solving vexing water treatment and sanitation challenges. Our on-site microbiology lab gives us access to a wide spectrum of technologies. And each year, leading organizations seek out our team’s technical expertise. Their funding advances our research and development of technologies for the communities they serve. At any given time, our R&D team is working on half a dozen of these grant-funded projects.
SafiStation™ Chlorine Generator
High-volume chlorine production for health facilities.
Developed in partnership with PATH, the SafiStation is an innovative, easy-to-use, and cost-effective chlorine generator for low-resource settings. The device uses the commonly available consumables of salt, water and electricity to produce a 1% chlorine solution for infection prevention and control in health facilities. The device also has applications in water treatment, disaster relief, and entrepreneurial models.
Povu Poa Handwashing Station
All-in-one soap dispenser and hand washing station.
Handwashing with soap can eliminate disease-causing bacteria and viruses, yet many low-resource communities lack access to proper handwashing stations. When a station is available, the soap is susceptible to theft. The Povu Poa is a low-cost, water frugal handwashing station that improves handwashing for low resource communities around the world. Developed with Tufts University, USAID, and Innovations for Poverty Action, the system incorporates a secured, foaming hand soap dispenser and a water efficient foot pump to drastically reduce the ongoing costs of water and soap, improving consistent handwashing.
Reclaimer
An automated closet-sized sanitation system for toilet facilities.
Another solution in the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge, the Reclaimer rapidly treats blackwater (wastewater from toilets), rendering it safe for reuse in flushing and irrigation. Essentially a compact sanitation system in a box, the automated unit is the result of years of research between MSR, Duke University’s Center for WaSH-AID and Cranfield University. Using three effective treatment methods—ultrafiltration, activated carbon and chlorine—the Relcaimer automatically treats the human liquid waste, and its size makes it ideal for community toilet facilities.
Venturi Chlorine Doser
In-line, large-volume water treatment at community kiosks.
In rural, low-resource communities, water kiosks often serve as the central point for selling and purchasing drinking water. Installed directly into the water systems of these kiosks, the Venturi Doser automatically injects the water with a precise dose of chlorine as it flows from the spout to customers. Developed in collaboration with PATH, SWAP Kenya and Stanford University, the low-cost device requires no moving parts or electricity and has the potential to improve drinking water quality for large communities while supporting entrepreneurial endeavors.
Solid Waste Micro-Burner
Removing microbiological hazards from human waste.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Reinvent the Toilet Challenge seeks to address the lack of safe sanitation for more than 2 billion people. In collaboration with the Duke Center for WaSH-AID and Colorado State University, MSR developed a small sub 500-watt burner for processing fecal sludge.