FOCUS4PFAS

What are PFAS and why are they a problem?

PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in many everyday products. They’re often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily and can stay in the environment for a very long time.

That’s because PFAS are made with a super-strong bond (between carbon and fluorine) that makes them extremely hard to remove, even with advanced water treatment systems. Once PFAS are released into the environment, they stay there—sometimes forever.

What is this project doing?

This project is focused on finding a way to remove PFAS from contaminated water using a special type of sponge made from graphene, a powerful and modern material.

The idea is to use electricity and this sponge to break down different types of PFAS and to completely destroy the harmful parts of these chemicals:

Including the longer-lasting ones
The smaller and newer ones
And even the most difficult-to-remove kinds

Modifying the electrode pores improves the way PFAS bind or react with the anode as they pass through the material, thus optimizing the process's efficiency.

This reactor operates continuously and destroys PFAS compounds when an electric current is applied. As they pass through the anode, the toxic substances are transformed into non-toxic compounds, allowing the water to exit the reactor much cleaner.

Why does it matter?

Getting rid of PFAS from water is an important step to protect our health and the environment. With this new technology, we aim to clean up different kinds of polluted water, making it safer for everyone.