I-Corps: Translation Potential for Advanced Adsorbent Materials for Water Purification

Award ID: 2627590

This I-Corps project is based on the development of advanced adsorbent materials to remove persistent contaminants known as forever chemicals from affected water systems. Currently, water purification systems rely on activated carbon and ion exchange resins that are effective against legacy long-chain compounds, but frequently fail to capture complex short-chain chemistries of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly referred to as PFAS). This technology uses established adsorption in combination with enhanced surface functionalization, which allows the material to rapidly attract and bind a broad spectrum of PFAS contaminants without requiring high-pressure systems or energy-intensive reverse osmosis. This technology also may serve as a direct replacement for activated carbon and resin media in scheduled maintenance cycles. A solution that drops into existing vessels that will capture a higher volume of PFAS mass compared to other adsorbents without new capital equipment may shorten the adoption cycle. However, significant commercial potential exists beyond municipal water purification. Applications may be possible in industrial sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and landfill operations, where effluent discharge pressures are mounting. The technologys broad-spectrum adsorption capability may provide a solution for the removal of PFAS and other harmful chemicals from water and the environment. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of a next-generation adsorbent media specifically engineered to address the complex chemistry of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as forever chemicals. While currently used Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and Ion Exchange (IX) resins are effective against legacy long-chain compounds, they frequently fail to capture short-chain variants and precursors that later oxidize into harmful PFAS. This technology utilizes hydrophobic and electrostatic mechanisms enhanced through surface functionalization. This allows the media to rapidly attract and bind a broad spectrum of PFAS contaminants at a higher volume of PFAS mass compared to other adsorbents currently on the market without requiring high-pressure systems or energy-intensive reverse osmosis. In addition, the density and wettability have been tuned to be compatible with existing municipal and industrial infrastructure. This "drop-in" capability means the media can be deployed in standard GAC or IX vessels without the need for new pumps, retrofits, or capital-intensive system redesigns. Validation is underway with data from an 18-month continuous flow pilot and the material also has passed a primary safety hurdle (NSF/ANSI 61) required for deployment in drinking water systems. This technology may provide safer water purification technologies and practical solutions for a wide range of environmental and industrial applications. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Program Director: Ruth Shuman