Aveiro, Portugal, Sept. 8, 2025 (Lusa) - A device for the electrolytic treatment of water for domestic consumption, created by a research team at Portugal's University of Aveiro, has been granted a national patent, according to an academic source on Monday.

The device and the process for the electrolytic treatment of water for domestic consumption were developed by the Aveiro Materials Institute (CICECO) and the Department of Materials and Ceramics Engineering (DEMaC) at the University of Aveiro (UA), both of which have been granted a national patent.

According to a university statement, the research team developed an electrolytic treatment system for domestic water "that ensures quality throughout the water distribution network, as well as the device's operating process."

"The device and process developed for municipal water treatment consist of a unique internal water circulation configuration which, combined with contact with ceramic electrodes coated with a thin film of boron-doped diamond, ensures its multifunctionality," the note describes.

According to the same source, the system also has the advantages of operating at room temperature, atmospheric pressure, and low applied electrical voltage levels.

The inventors of the technology explain that "throughout the water distribution network, municipal water can undergo changes before entering homes, and may contain undesirable inorganic and organic pollutants, or even microorganisms that are harmful to public health."

"The main functions of this device are the sustainable and efficient elimination of these inorganic/organic pollutants and microorganisms through a process of electro-oxidation amplified by the internal water circulation configuration in the system," they add.

Another function is to reduce water hardness and ensure "efficient self-cleaning."

The technology protection process was conducted by ‘UACOOPERA,’ a structure at the University of Aveiro responsible for protecting the research and development results of the academic community, which monitored the phases until the patent was granted in Portugal.

The research team responsible consists of Violeta Girão, Filipe Oliveira, Miguel Neto, Rui Silva, and former master's student José Soares.

The patented technology was developed as part of the SGH - Smart Green Homes project, led by Bosch Termotecnologia SA and the University of Aveiro.

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