Can We Break Up With PFAS?
PFAS have been headline news since spring. And for good reason, with new EPA regulations targeting these forever chemicals. Dive into this newsletter for more on the very real challenges of PFAS destruction, and how initiatives like Great Lakes ReNEW are turning the tide on removing toxins from our precious freshwater.
Our Toxic Relationship with Forever Chemicals
If you’ve used a sticky note, flossed, worn soft contact lenses, or microwaved a bag of popcorn this week, you’ve used PFAS.?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are actually impossible to avoid. They’re part of a class of more than 12,000 manufactured chemicals used in thousands of everyday products. Since the 1940s, these forever chemicals have been a game-changer. They made cleanup easier, kept us dry in the rain, and repelled stains on our furniture.?
But what seems too good to be true often is. Today we know that PFAS is an invisible menace lurking in plain sight.?
For years, scientists have sounded the alarm on the potential health risks of PFAS exposure. These risks range from hormonal disruption and compromised fertility to high blood pressure and increased risk of cancer. This spring, legislators took action by issuing the first-ever national standards for drinking water. These standards will limit PFAS contamination to four parts per trillion.?
How Brian Chaplin is Destroying PFAS with Electrochemistry
Brian P. Chaplin, Ph.D. , is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and co-founder of Zyvant Research & Innovations, a company developing novel reactive electrochemical membrane technology capable of destroying over 99% of PFAS compounds.
Q: Can you explain the focus of your research on electrochemical water treatment?
Brian Chaplin: Our research uses electrochemistry to destroy contaminants in water. We develop different types of electrodes that, when potential is applied, drive reactions to break down contaminants. A significant focus in the last few years has been on PFAS. We aim to ensure the treated water is safer than it was initially, as traditional methods don't destroy PFAS. Our work involves making electrodes, understanding solution chemistry, and ensuring that only non-toxic by-products remain.
Q: How effective is your electrochemical treatment method compared to others, and what are its benefits?
Chaplin: Our method can be very effective because it doesn't add any chemicals to the water. Instead, we use electrodes and energy to drive reactions that destroy contaminants. One of our main challenges is ensuring that the energy goes into destroying the target contaminants, like PFAS, and not into side reactions. Our technology is modular, meaning we can scale up by adding more reactors in parallel or series, similar to light bulbs. This approach is also competitive in energy use compared to other methods.
Q: What stage is your technology currently at, and what are the next steps for its development in relation to Great Lakes ReNEW?
Chaplin: We are currently at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of about 4, with lab-scale prototypes. Our goal in the next couple of years is to move to pilot scale, which we hope will be accelerated by funding and collaboration opportunities through ReNEW. We have developed a prototype that we will continue testing in our lab before scaling it up for pilot studies.
Q: How did you become interested in water treatment and electrochemical methods?
Chaplin: As an undergrad, I initially explored other areas of study like criminology and pre-law, but eventually realized that I’ve always been good at math and science. Engineering made sense, but I knew I wanted to contribute to making the environment a better place. Clean water seemed like a natural fit because of my interest in camping and hiking. I eventually pursued a PhD focused on nitrate reduction and later a postdoc at the University of Arizona on electrochemical destruction of contaminants. The versatility and potential of electrochemical methods intrigued me, and when the PFAS issue gained prominence, I was well-positioned to address it.
Q: What is the potential for your technology to be applied in various settings, including rural or developing areas?
Chaplin: Our technology has the potential to be scaled for different applications, from rural areas to large-scale water treatment plants. We aim to create solutions that can be adapted to different scales and environments, making clean water accessible and safe worldwide. Our modular approach makes it possible to customize the technology based on the specific needs of a community or treatment facility.
Brian Chaplin's pioneering work in electrochemical water treatment offers a promising solution to one of the most pervasive environmental challenges of our lifetime. By harnessing innovative technology to eliminate PFAS and other contaminants, Chaplin and his team, supported by Great Lakes ReNEW, are forging a path towards safer, cleaner water for everyone.
ReNEW Hiring Opportunities
Great Lakes ReNEW Postdoctoral Fellowships
Great Lakes ReNEW is hiring nine postdoctoral research fellows interested in working on the selective separation of nutrients, critical minerals, and energy from wastewater. This includes sensors and sensor networks for detection of these targets and testbeds for the validation of technologies developed.
Commercialization Director
The field of water-related technologies is rapidly evolving. We are looking for a leader who appreciates the technical and commercial complexity inherent in deploying and scaling water solutions but is also willing to work diligently to identify and break down all types of barriers to implementation through innovative programs and product offerings. As the Commercialization Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term strategy of Current’s key initiatives, including Great Lakes ReNEW.
Current’s ReNEWsletter is your source for the latest updates on Great Lakes ReNEW. Led by Current and supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, Great Lakes ReNEW is a Regional Innovation Engine that aims to transform wastewater by extracting valuable minerals and removing toxic chemicals. Our mission focuses on helping communities in the Great Lakes region most impacted by economic and environmental injustice, and transforming waste into wealth and opportunities for all. Learn more.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement No. 2315268.