Developing and Demonstrating Nanosensor Technology to Detect, Monitor, and Degrade Pollutants Grants
EPA awarded $1,499,979 to Clarkson University for research to develop and demonstrate nanosensor technology that has the potential to detect, monitor, and degrade PFAS in groundwater or surface water that may be used as drinking water sources.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are long-lasting chemicals that are widely used in an array of consumer, commercial, and industrial products and can have an adverse effect on human health even at low concentrations. Measuring PFAS at low levels is a challenge with current analytical methods. In addition, PFAS are incredibly difficult to degrade, and traditional methods often cannot degrade PFAS or they may produce a toxic waste stream.
The goal of this research is to address the challenges of conventional technology for the detection and treatment of PFAS-contaminated waters. Using nanotechnology may help build better environmental sensors by reducing cost, improving efficiency, and increasing selectivity, and may help develop technologies to degrade PFAS in a way that does not create toxic by-products.
To learn more, visit the funding opportunity webpage.
Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York
Project Title: Multimodal Nanosensor for Field Detection and Degradation of PFAS Contamination in Groundwater and Wastewater (SENSE-PFAS)
Principal Investigator: Silvana Andreescu
Award Amount: $1,499,979
The selected project aims to develop, validate, and translate into practice an integrated nanosensor technology for measuring environmentally relevant PFAS in wastewater and groundwater. The researchers will use new portable, nanosensing technology to rapidly estimate the level of PFAS exposure and the effectiveness of remediation efforts. The technology uses novel redox reporters detectable by electrochemical and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy that specifically interact with PFAS, and when paired with nanocatalysts, degrade them. The proposed sensors will be easy to use, inexpensive and can be used in situ, facilitating large-scale screening and intervention with potential for broad adoption in a variety of environments and communities.
View the research abstract from Clarkson University.