Scientists from the University of Bath have just debuted a new invention that removes toxic chemicals from polluted water — and it looks a whole lot like your favorite frozen waffles, or a clump of dried instant noodles.
Their invention is a structure designed of lattices 3D-printed with ceramic ink and specially treated to bond with toxic chemicals.
These structures, which are being called “monoliths,” can remove up to 75% of “forever chemicals” in polluted water in just three hours, according to their research, which was recently published in The Chemical Engineering Journal.
The monoliths specifically target perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the most common perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), from water. Additionally, researchers concluded, the structures get better at their job the more they’re used.
If streamlined, the monoliths could become an important tool in future efforts to eliminate the chemicals from water supplies.
“PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals’, are a major focus in water treatment and public health,” Dr. Liana Zoumpouli, a research associate in Bath’s Department of Chemical Engineering said in a statement.
“We have created an efficient way to remove these chemicals from water without using lots of energy.”
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Those “forever chemicals” are indeed a major concern across both environmental and public health sectors. In fact, PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they can take up to 1,000 years to break down. The man-made substances are also known for causing health issues in reproductive, developmental, and cardiovascular systems.
Even worse? They’re nearly everywhere, appearing in domestic products like non-stick pans, fabrics, paints, and even food and beauty products. Because they are so ubiquitous in everyday use, PFAS have been found in blood streams, semen, and can even build up in the liver. PFAS are also linked to various cancers and diabetes — especially when found in drinking water.
It’s clear that removing these toxic chemicals is of urgent concern to health and environmental experts, and the monoliths developed by UK researchers represent a beacon of hope. But how do they work?
First, the ceramic “ink” material that is printed with 3D printers is infused with indium oxide, which bonds with PFAS molecules. The monoliths are then soaked in polluted water for a period of time, and when they are removed, a large amount of the chemicals are removed with them.
Following each use, the monoliths undergo high-temperature thermal “regeneration” at 500 degrees celsius to remove the PFAS from the structure, making them ready to reuse for another round of detoxification.
“Using 3D printing to create the monoliths is relatively simple, and it also means the process should be scalable,” Zoumpouli explained.
“3D printing allows us to create objects with a high surface area, which is key to the process. Once the monoliths are ready you simply drop them into the water and let them do their work. It’s very exciting and something we are keen to develop further and see in use.”
In initial testing, the monoliths were able to remove 53% of PFAS from water in three hours. After regeneration treatment, they were surprisingly even better at cleaning the water, and by the third cycle, the monoliths were removing 75% of the toxic chemicals.
Each monolith is about four centimeters in size, and its ceramic lattice structure almost appears like a bunch of toothpaste squeezed from a tube. Their ability to remove 75% of PFAS from water is also compatible with current water treatment plants in the UK, according to the university.
“Currently, these chemicals are not strongly regulated in the UK in drinking water, but there are guidelines, and we expect changes in policy quite soon,” co-author Davide Mattia added in a statement.
“Water companies are likely to be looking at integrating systems to deal with them.”
Next, the team of researchers will continue to further refine the monoliths to increase their efficiency and best understand how this technology can be implemented in wastewater treatment facilities.
“The effectiveness, robustness and reusability of the 3D printed indium oxide monoliths highlight their potential as an efficient and sustainable adsorbent for PFAS removal,” the researchers wrote in the abstract of their study.
And later in their research, they shared the exciting conclusion: “This study represents a significant step toward the development of practical and efficient solutions for mitigating the environmental impact of PFAS contamination, offering an environmentally sustainable and effective solution for PFAS remediation.”
Header image courtesy of the University of Bath
