Diamond clear

The breaking down of toxic organic material is very important in the process of purifying water. Now, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Thin Films and Surface Engineering, Germany have found that diamond-coated electrodes destroys even compounds such as polychlorinated hydrocarbons. Diamond electrodes are especially well-suited for conversion of organic molecules, say the researchers. Germs are also eliminated during electrolysis. Under high voltage, the water molecules break up and oxygen radicals are formed. These combine to form ozone, which destroys microorganisms ( PTI Science Service , Vol 18, No 21).