A consultant says nanotechnology could change the economic balance of many existing water-related technologies in favor of large-scale use. Adaptation of current nanotechnologies in the water industry could be very beneficial. The nanotechnology benefits for water applications have been studied for years, and the technologies now need to be turned into real products. Capital is needed to provide the impetus, and consultant Tim Harper of Cientifica says the global Nanowater.org organization is acting as a link between water remediation companies and nanotechnology firms. The same nanoscale needles that puncture bacteria could possibly be used for water treatment. Other feasible choices are nanoparticulates that are presently used to fight infections. Nanofibers are being used in many industrial applications and are being evaluated by NASA for water purification in space. Use of nanofiltration is the first application to reach the water sector. KX Industries produces consumer and light-industrial water filters, and is producing nanoscale filters that can screen out items as tiny as bacteria and viruses for the purpose of eliminating water-bone disease. Other areas of water treatment need more work, including desalination. A way to improve the process is the use of forward osmosis. For instance, Hydration Technologies has developed a semi-permeable membrane that performs as a molecular sieve to allow water to pass through while holding back impurities. The technology is being used to clean up industrial water and for production of some food concentrates. Also discussed are sensitive sensor technology, a surface-modified gel from Taiwan Surfactant, and an Israeli-based nanotechnology water initiative.