Ideas worth spreading

A young scientist's quest for clean water

1,259,450 views | Deepika Kurup • TEDWomen 2016

Deepika Kurup has been determined to solve the global water crisis since she was 14 years old, after she saw kids outside her grandparents' house in India drinking water that looked too dirty even to touch. Her research began in her family kitchen -- and eventually led to a major science prize. Hear how this teenage scientist developed a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to purify water.

Deepika Kurup has been determined to solve the global water crisis since she was 14 years old, after she saw kids outside her grandparents' house in India drinking water that looked too dirty even to touch. Her research began in her family kitchen -- and eventually led to a major science prize. Hear how this teenage scientist developed a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to purify water.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Get involved with Catalyst for World Water and help solve the global water crisis.

About the speaker

Inventor, student scientist

See speaker profile

Water is the basis of life, and too many people around the world suffer from waterborne illnesses. Deepika Kurup is working to change that.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Get involved with Catalyst for World Water and help solve the global water crisis.