Water Purification Research Takes Major Step Forward, Countdown to Commencement and more – Inside UNC Charlotte

University Research and Development Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Advancements in Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Innovation (SDG 9)

• A water purification system developed by Professor of Chemistry Jordan Poler has successfully passed industry-standard filtration testing, marking a significant step towards commercial production.
• This research, supported by NCInnovation, introduces a novel approach to removing contaminants from drinking water, directly contributing to the goal of ensuring universal access to clean water.
• The project’s progression to large-scale production aligns with SDG 9 by fostering innovation and promoting sustainable industrialization.

Commitment to Education, Health, and Well-being

Fostering Quality Education and Lifelong Learning (SDG 4)

• The university is preparing for its Fall 2025 commencement, celebrating the culmination of student academic achievement and its role in providing inclusive and equitable quality education.
• The nationally ranked mathematical finance program celebrated its 20th anniversary, highlighting two decades of contributions to specialized education and economic development (SDG 8).

Promoting Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

1. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training: A training session on December 5 aims to equip the community with skills to support student well-being and cultivate a community of care.
2. QPR Training: A virtual session on December 1 will provide Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training to help individuals recognize suicide warning signs.
3. Webinar on Social Connection: A webinar on December 3, titled “Loneliness and AI – Rethinking Social Connection,” will examine strategies for fostering belonging in technologically integrated environments.

Institutional Operations and Community Engagement

Supporting Inclusive Institutions and Decent Work (SDG 16 & SDG 8)

• Faculty Development: Workshops on “Best Practices in Holistic Faculty Recruitment” will be held in January to promote equitable hiring practices, contributing to reduced inequalities (SDG 10).
• Commencement Volunteers: Volunteer opportunities for the December 12 and 13 commencement ceremonies encourage community participation and support for institutional events.
• IT Maintenance: Scheduled updates to data center firewall software will occur from November 25-26 to ensure robust and secure institutional infrastructure (SDG 9).

Student and Community Engagement Events

• Senior Celebration: December 1, at Armored Cow Brewing Co.
• Late Night Breakfast: December 2, at SoVi Dining Hall.
• Light Up the Lake: December 2, at Hechenbleikner Lake.
• Forever a Niner: December 11, in the Popp Martin Student Union.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • The article directly addresses this goal in the first section, “Charlotte Research Takes Next Step Toward Commercial Production on Water Filters.” It discusses the development of a new water purification system designed to remove contaminants from drinking water.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • This goal is connected through the sections “what you need to know: faculty and staff” and “what you need to know: students.” The article mentions “Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training” and “QPR Training” (Question, Persuade and Refer), which are initiatives aimed at supporting mental well-being and preventing suicide within the university community.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The development of the water filtration system connects to this goal. The article highlights that the system was “Developed through years of research” and is now paving the way for “large-scale production” and “commercial production.” This represents scientific research and technological innovation leading to industrial application.

4. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The entire article is set within the context of a university (Charlotte), an institution of higher learning. It showcases the outcomes of academic research (the water filter) and highlights specific educational programs like the “nationally ranked mathematical finance program.” This demonstrates the university’s role in providing quality tertiary education and fostering research.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: “By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.” The research on a new “water purification system” that removes “contaminants from drinking water” is a direct contribution to developing technologies that can help achieve this target.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The article’s mention of “Mental Health First Aid training” and QPR training, which “is intended to foster a community of care by teaching individuals to recognize warning signs of suicide,” directly supports the promotion of mental health and well-being.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation.” The article describes a university professor’s successful research (“Jordan Poler, professor of chemistry, has successfully passed filtration testing”) leading to an innovation (a new water purification system) that is ready for “commercial production,” which aligns perfectly with enhancing scientific research and encouraging innovation.

4. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.” The mention of the “nationally ranked mathematical finance program” celebrating its 20th anniversary highlights the provision of specialized, high-quality education designed to equip students with relevant skills for specific professional fields.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG Target 6.1:

   • The article implies an indicator related to water quality. The statement that the system provides “a new approach to removing contaminants from drinking water” and has “successfully passed filtration testing” serves as a qualitative indicator of progress in developing technologies to ensure safely managed drinking water.

2. For SDG Target 3.4:

   • The article provides a direct indicator: the availability of mental health support programs. The specific mention of “Mental Health First Aid training session” and “virtual student QPR session” indicates that resources are being actively provided to promote mental well-being and prevent suicide, which can be measured by tracking the number of sessions offered and participants trained.

3. For SDG Target 9.5:

   • The article points to indicators of research and development (R&D) outcomes. The successful development of a water filtration system that is ready for “commercial production” is a tangible indicator of successful innovation. The project’s support from “NCInnovation” also implies an indicator related to investment in R&D.

4. For SDG Target 4.4:

   • The existence and longevity of specialized educational programs serve as an indicator. The article mentions the “mathematical finance program in the Belk College of Business celebrated its 20th anniversary,” which indicates a sustained and successful effort in providing education that imparts relevant skills for employment.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: inside.charlotte.edu