I-Corps: Translation potential of an electron-based conceptual framework to decompose per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

This I-Corps project is based on the development of a technology to destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in drinking water. PFAS, often called “forever chemicals”, are man-made chemicals that are difficult to degrade and their accumulation in water can be harmful to human health. PFAS have been detected globally in drinking water, soils, wildlife, and humans. Current water treatment technologies concentrate PFAS for later disposal rather than permanently destroying these contaminants, creating ongoing costs and long-term liabilities. This technology delivers cost-competitive, energy-efficient, on-site destruction of PFAS to provide an efficient, scalable solution to improve water quality and reduce long-term exposure risk. Applications for this technology include PFAS-rich landfill leachate, treatment of firefighting-foam, industrial wastewater, and drinking water. This technology may provide a solution for removing PFAS and improving water treatment and waste management. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of a technology to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances from drinking water. This technology is electron-based and exploits electron upconversion, a mechanism established by computational work. Previous research demonstrated that PFAS degradation correlates to electron density. This correlation highlights plasma as a unique destruction technology. An electron injected into a PFAS molecule triggers carbon–fluorine (C–F) bond fragmentation and the electron is regenerated. The electron functions as a catalyst, driving a self-sustaining destruction cycle and improving efficiency. This achieves enhanced PFAS destruction via a nonthermal plasma reactor process. The initial work has focused on perfluorosulfonic acids, however, electron-induced bond weakening, radical–anion cross-reactions, and electron recycling, are expected to apply broadly to other PFAS classes and, more generally, to persistent, highly fluorinated or electron-deficient pollutants. 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.