Research Project
Water Decontamination
Technology Readiness Level
TRL 3–5 Represents the transition from concept to early validation and prototyping
Eco-RemediationRemoving safety threats from water
Water contamination is a global crisis, driven by industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, aging infrastructure, and emerging contaminants, that threatens public health, ecosystems, and economic stability in both developed and developing regions. Materials can help remove harmful contaminants from water to support safer water use and increase water availability. Approaches that leverage new materials can help enable safe drinking water and support treatment strategies that ensure wastewater is responsibly returned to the environment.
Project Goals
Materials-enabled water decontamination
This project aims to advance materials-enabled approaches for water decontamination with attention to selectivity, robustness, and deployable performance. We evaluate candidates using decision-relevant metrics such as adsorption capacity, uptake kinetics, stability, regeneration and reuse potential, and operational simplicity. The goal is to accelerate down-selection toward solutions that can integrate into real treatment workflows while meeting safety, reliability, and cost constraints.
Applications
- Heavy Metal and Inorganic Drinking Water Contaminant Removal: Advanced adsorbents and functional materials are being developed to selectively remove contaminants such as arsenic, fluoride, chromium, and lead from water. This work supports the development of more robust, efficient, and practical treatment solutions for safer drinking water.
- Decentralized & Point-of-Use Water Treatment: Robust, regenerable materials can be integrated into compact filtration systems for remote communities, emergency response, and rural infrastructure, delivering reliable contaminant removal without complex operational requirements.
- Industrial Wastewater Reuse & Compliance: Materials-enabled treatment systems can selectively remove heavy metals, organics, or process residues from industrial effluents, supporting water reuse, lowering discharge risks, and helping facilities meet tightening regulatory standards cost-effectively.
Project Status
- TRL 3–5: Represents the transition from concept to early validation and prototyping
Why it Matters
Water quality risks are increasing due to industrial contaminants, aging infrastructure, and emerging pollutants. Materials-enabled decontamination offers more selective, efficient solutions with lower energy and operational demands. By prioritizing durability, regeneration, and real-world integration, this work advances field-ready purification technologies that protect public health, enable water reuse, and strengthen long-term resilience.
