Norma Alcantar, Ph.D., a University of South Florida professor who engineered a way to clean water using cactus mucilage, is among seven new inductees into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame.
“I consider it a great honor to have been selected to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame,” said Alcantar, Professor of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering. “I feel humbled to be along with researchers and professionals that have been recognized for their discoveries and accomplishments that can improve our global communities’ well-being, economic growth, and environment. I hope to serve as a role model for future female leaders in U.S. innovation and ingenuity.”
Her cactus mucilage inventions have captured attention worldwide. Her novel water filtration system removes sediments, contaminants, bacteria and heavy metals from water. She learned that carbohydrates in the cactus pulp binds to the contaminants so they can be separated and removed from water. Alcantar tested her invention on Port-au-Prince, Haiti following the 2010 earthquake when there was almost no drinking water for the disaster victims. Her system has also been used in Vietnam, Mexico and Bangladesh.
She said her work using natural materials to clean water of sediments, heavy metals and bacteria is sustainable because cactus is produced through sustainable agriculture and is non-toxic and biodegradable.
“I firmly believe technologies that use biomimicry need to be explored further because of two essential properties,” said Alcantar. “First, nature’s processes are effective and harmless. Second, nature does not produce wasteful residues and works in cooperation with all ecosystems in unison. Innovation will help solve global problems that we currently face, such as climate change and the decay of our renewable resources.”
