P&G Donates Water Softening Technology

In many parts of the country, hard water causes problems for consumers and businesses alike. A new solution for treating hard water may be developed as a result of the donation of more than 35 patents and pending patents to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, announced today by Procter & Gamble.

Hard water, which contains high levels of dissolved calcium or magnesium, can be linked to problems ranging from clogged plumbing to kidney stones. Enhanced Water Softening Technology, as P&G’s patents are collectively called, creates an inexpensive and recyclable water softening agent that quickly and efficiently binds calcium ions. Along with the patents, P&G has donated all associated intellectual property. As the sole new owners of the technology, UNC-CH will benefit from future revenues after the technology is further developed, tested and commercialized.With further development work, it is estimated that the market potential of Enhanced Water Softening Technology could be upward of $100 million annually.

“We are delighted that Procter & Gamble chose UNC-Chapel Hill to develop this technology,” said Chancellor James Moeser. “Our School of Public Health is a national leader in drinking water research. This work fits its mission, and Carolina’s public service mission, to a Ot.’ The potential benefits for treating municipal drinking water and water for industrial use are enormous.”

P&G’s external consultants identified UNC-CH as the university that is best qualified to further develop the Enhanced Water Softening Technology, due to the School of Public Health’s national prominence. Dr. Philip Singer, a professor of environmental sciences and engineering in the School of Public Health, will lead the research effort.

“We’re excited that UNC-Chapel Hill will continue to develop and test this significant technology, and that the university will benefit both financially and academically from this donation,” said P&G’s Chief Technology Officer Gil Cloyd. “Best of all, we’ll get to see this promising science furthered to improve peoples’ lives P&G hands, given that our strategic interests lie elsewhere.”

The gift of Enhanced Water Softening Technology is the eighth in a series of P&G technology donations to leading universities and research institutions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, hard water is a common problem for a large part of the United States. Hard water makes washing more difficult by decreasing the amount of lather or suds. Hard water also leaves deposits in pipes and boilers and on heat transfer surfaces, causing problems for industry. In addition to observing white, flaky buildup on showerheads, faucets, and pots and pans, homeowners will note that hard water causes problems for water heaters, clothes washers and dishwashers, shortening appliance lifespan and adding to energy costs. Hard water may also be linked to health problems such as kidney stones.

Enhanced Water Softening Technology works by introducing specially treated calcium carbonate crystals into the water supply. The crystals attract and capture calcium ions, which are then filtered out. The precipitate can then be recycled and used multiple times. The major benefits of the technology are that it is simpler and less costly than current processes. In addition to savings for the water treatment industry, Enhanced Water Softening Technology may be beneficial for developing nations since it uses inexpensive and recyclable materials, is more efficient than other methods, and produces less sludge for disposal.

UNC-CH’s Drinking Water Research Center, based at the School of Public Health and which will work with the technology, draws on departmental researchers as well as those with expertise in chemistry, economics, engineering, epidemiology, microbiology, risk assessment and water policy to address a multitude of drinking water issues.

“We will examine the suitability of Enhanced Water Softening Technology for its applicability to municipal drinking water and industrial process water,” said Singer. “I am pleased that Procter & Gamble has chosen us to carry on this exciting research and look forward to taking their research to the next level.”

UNC-CH, the nation’s first state university, enrolls more than 24,800 students, including undergraduate, graduate and professional; the faculty population numbers at about 2,800. UNC CH’s academic offerings span more than 100 fields, including 53 bachelor’s, 79 master’s and 61 doctoral degrees, as well as professional degrees in dentistry, medicine, pharmacy and law. Five health schools nation’s most complete academic medical centers arts, basic sciences and high-tech academic programs.