Inspired by an experience involving contaminated well water in her rural Kentucky hometown, Ph.D. student Natalie Hull is exploring the different wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation needed to kill dangerous drinking water pathogens.

"I'm excited to do the intense biology research that informs technology development that will help people like those in my hometown," Hull said.

Experimenting with different UV wavelengths in a variety of doses and combinations, Hull hopes to discover a solution that would simultaneously rid drinking water of the pathogens and help to limit the use of chlorine used by numerous water municipalities.

"Some bacteria are more resistant to chlorine, and those can be the same bacteria that make weak people sick," Hull said.

"All drinking water has bacteria in it," Hull said. "What I am hoping is UV can provide a more broad spectrum treatment and not allow for a higher proportion of opportunistic pathogens."

With ultraviolet wavelengths running from 200 to 300 nanometers, Hull focused on the 222 nanometer wavelength accomplished through the use of an excimer lamp. Hull determined that the lower wavelengths, with greater success, damaged the proteins in microbes as well as their DNA, incapacitating them.

With the goal of incorporating more advanced water purification systems into our municipalities, Hull envisions treating water by simply shining UV lights on the water killing anything harmful as it travels through the system.

“You can either use stronger lights, or slow the flow down,” Hull said, describing how to potentially overcome the barriers of an inadequate UV purification system. “But if you need the water you can’t really slow the flow rate.”

For more information on Hull’s research, click here.