Water purification device wins Popular Science award

On July 14th, Senator Pete Domenici presented the Popular Science magazine's "Best of What's New" award to Dr. Tony Tether, Director, and Dr. Robert Leheny, Deputy Director, of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The MSR® MIOX® Purifier, an individual use water purification device, was the Grand Award Winner for General Innovation in 2003, and is now being used both by the U.S. military and by the general public to treat water to drinking water quality. DARPA provided the funding for research and development and was instrumental in bringing the MSR® MIOX® Purifier to realization.

The MIOX® Purifier is a prime example of a technology funded for the military that has significant advantages for people worldwide. Rodney Herrington of MIOX Corporation, V.P. of R&D and inventor of the purifier, stated, "DARPA's contribution to funding the miniaturization of the MIOX technology has not only supported the health and safety of our military, but has also provided the world with a technology with enormous humanitarian benefit."

Weighing only 3.5 ounces and measuring 7 inches in length, the MSR® MIOX® Purifier uses electricity to convert common table salt and water into a powerful disinfectant. The purifier's small size and capacity to treat a large volume of water with a single dose make it ideal for any situation requiring pure water quickly and easily. The purifier has passed the EPA Guide Standard & Protocol for Microbiological Purifiers, achieving more than ten times the required inactivation level for bacteria, viruses, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. The MSR® MIOX® Purifier is a miniaturization of MIOX Corporation's municipal water purification systems installed worldwide with a combined treatment capacity of over 1 billion gallons of water per day.

The MSR® MIOX® Purifier enables a more effective fighting force by improving mobility and stealth. Nearly 50% of the transportation sorties in Iraq are currently delivering bottled water to the troops. With the purifier, individual warfighters can now treat locally available water sources and no longer have to rely on transported water or on long supply lines that are prone to interruption and logistics difficulties. Moreover, the potability of the treated water can be guaranteed through the use of MIOX safety indicator strips, protecting U.S. service personnel from waterborne diseases and dehydration.

The Office of Naval Research purchased 1,000 purifiers in 2003, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense purchased an additional 6,500 units. A further order for 3,500 units was recently placed by the U.S. Army. These purifiers are being distributed to U.S. armed forces worldwide. The purifier enables U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other areas of deployment to stay healthy and hydrated.