Open Call for Science and Technology Created by Early-Stage (e.g. University) Teams

This project aims to develop material that can selectively bind fluorinated contaminants via surface modification of a proprietary material. Specifically, the project will focus on the removal of perfluoocatnoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) which have been widely used for numerous purposes given their unique physical properties. The molecules tend to be both water, oil, and dirt-repellant, and fire-retardant among many things. As such, these molecules were applied in many commercial applications, including both non-stick cookware and fire suppressing aqueous film forming foams. Unfortunately, little foresight was given to the fact that these same properties make these chemicals persistent in the environment. Recently, they have been linked to numerous health issues. Weaver Labs has developed a Fluor-Mop material that is selective for PFOS and PFOA even in the presence of naturally occurring obscurant compounds which are in higher concentrations in the environment relative to PFOS/PFOA typically and competitively bind to materials like activated carbon the current material of choice for adsorption.