Short Description of the Project “φ-Water”
The research project φ-Water “Development of a new innovative electromagnetic water treatment system for multiple applications”, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Operational Program “Regional Operational Program of Central Macedonia” (ESPA 2021-2027), Innovation Investment Plans, promotes business investments in Research and Innovation (R&I) and fosters stronger connections and collaborations between businesses and research and development centers within higher education institutions.
By achieving its objectives, the project clearly falls into the category of investments aimed at the development of innovative products and services in alignment with the priority areas of the Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3).
Main objectives of the φ-Water research project
- The development of an electromagnetic water treatment system with multiple applications that will lead to reduced water consumption needs.
- The treatment system will result in significant improvement of water quality characteristics, while offering high flexibility and adaptability for both industrial and domestic applications.
- The system will be tested in the irrigation of fruit and vegetable crops in real-world conditions.
- The system will also be tested for its effects on the development of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.
- Conducting a techno-economic evaluation of the above proposal.
Expected results by sector
φ-Water
Agriculture
The use of electromagnetically treated water (EM-treated water) in the agricultural sector is expected to accelerate plant growth and increase crop yields (with increases of up to 20% in cereals and up to 45% in tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, radishes, peas, strawberries, and beets). It is also expected to enhance crop resistance to pests and diseases. In addition, the use of EM-treated water in agriculture is expected to lead to a reduction in the use of herbicides and pesticides, while beneficial effects are anticipated for crop protection against light frost (the freezing temperature of magnetized water ranges from approximately −5 °C to −12 °C, depending on the electromagnetic field applied). At the same time, particularly impressive results are expected from the use of φ-water in saline soils, given that water passing through an electromagnetic field has the ability to change the distribution of salt composition and influence the distribution of salts in the upper soil layers.
Livestock
Alongside agriculture, significant benefits are also expected from using EM-treated water in livestock farming, as the consumption of electromagnetically treated water is expected to lead to a substantial increase in milk production (both cow and goat/sheep milk) and improvements in the quality characteristics of meat, according to preliminary research. Additionally, the use of EM-treated water is expected to significantly contribute to the reduction/mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions by improving the digestion of nutrients in livestock, which in turn reduces methane production levels (a major contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions).
Industry
In the industrial sector, the application of the EM water treatment process is expected to lead to a significant reduction in both the deposition of salts in pipelines (such as carbonate, chloride, and sulfate salts of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺) and corrosion phenomena in industrial water treatment systems — including cooling towers, heat exchangers, boilers, and conduits.
Home use
For household applications, using this treated water in sewage and wastewater systems is expected to improve treatment processes by accelerating solid sedimentation, enhancing the capture of fine particulates, and reducing the number of dissolved solids. Moreover, the use of EM-treated water is anticipated to lead to significant water savings for irrigating private gardens and green spaces due to improved efficiency.
Health Sector
Significant benefits are also expected from the use of the electromagnetic water treatment device in the health sector. Specifically, some studies have reported that electromagnetically treated water (EM-treated water) may be effective in alleviating symptoms of common ailments such as colds and coughs, and may support the management of bronchitis and fevers. Water therapy in general has been shown to influence the human body in various ways, though the strength of scientific evidence varies by condition. Certain preliminary studies suggest EM-treated or magnetized water could influence parameters related to stone dissolution — for example, through changes in physical properties that may affect kidney stone components such as calcium oxalate. Additionally, it has been proposed in some alternative health literature that EM-treated water might help in lowering blood pressure, support recovery after stroke, and assist in regulating the menstrual cycle — although these claims are not well-established in mainstream clinical research and require more rigorous scientific validation. Some studies also suggest that treated water may aid in breaking down kidney and gallbladder stones and may have roles in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis — again, these effects are not well-substantiated by broad clinical evidence. Furthermore, reports indicate potential benefits of EM-treated water for the development and production of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, attributing antimicrobial activity — for instance against S. mutans (a bacterium implicated in dental plaque), and effectiveness against various microorganisms
The project titled “Development of a new innovative electromagnetic water treatment system for multiple applications” (Project Code: KMP6-0081850) is being implemented within the framework of the Action “Innovation Investment Plans” of the Operational Program “Central Macedonia 2021-2027” of the Region of Central Macedonia, and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union (EU) and National funds.