How 3D printed Graphene Aerogels can be used for Water Treatment This illustration depicts, at the left, a 3D printer printing the hexagonal-shaped graphene aerogel sheet. At the right, the aerogel (now black) filters dirty water. Credit: Environmental Science: Nano Access to clean drinking water is a major problem for as much as a third of the world's population. Now, a new combination of graphene, aerogels and 3D printing could provide a solution. With an increasing global population, the need for clean, accessible drinking water is growing. Graphene has long been suggested as a material that is ideal for the filtration of water and the removal of contaminants.