Scientists Invent Filter That Can Convert PFAS into Renewable Batteries

Scientists have invented a filter that can remove harmful ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water and use them in renewable batteries.

A University of Queensland invention enables the extraction of polyfluoroacyl compounds (PFAS), which are extremely difficult to remove from the environment or the human body.

Cheng Zhang, a polymer chemist at the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, said the filter uses a new sorbent solution and an ion exchange technique.

He added that it is more than five times more effective than any other technology currently available on the market.

“Certain” technology will be ready in three years

Dr. Zheng said the device was able to reduce PFAS levels to “virtually undetectable” levels in drinking water, well below EPA guidelines for safe consumption.

He added that the filter can treat contaminated landfill leachate, something that was not previously possible using commercially available technologies.

Dr Zheng said the institute has received a patent and is confident the technology will be ready for commercial production within three years.

“What we are trying to do now is either license the technology or create a start-up company,” Dr. Zheng said.

“Our ultimate goal is to further commercialize our technology and make it useful in solving real-world problems, and to create a world free of PFAS.

“Not only does our filter technology remove harmful particles from water, but these captured chemicals can be reused to help decarbonize the planet.”

Research in a sewage treatment plant

The technology will be tested at Brisbane’s Luggage Point wastewater treatment plant, one of the largest recycled water processing plants in the world.

Dr. Zheng said they will expand to other research sites in the coming years that have not yet been approved.

Dr Zheng said they are considering test landfills and working with companies that deal with contaminated compost leaking from the waste.

New renewable battery technology

He added that their renewable batteries are the first in the world to use PFAS compounds in this way.

“The growing demand for high-performance batteries has manufacturers constantly looking for new materials that improve the energy density, safety and stability of battery charging cycles,” he said.

“Recycled PFAS has excellent properties for this purpose.”

The PFAS filter testing pilot program has received a $1 million state grant from the Advance Queensland Industry Research Projects program.

A recent study from the University of New South Wales found that PFAS is much more widespread than previously thought.

Civil and environmental engineering professor Denis O’Carroll said he was “surprised” to find that water levels in a small part of Sydney’s catchment in the Blue Mountains were above safe drinking levels.

He added that water suppliers such as Sydney Water do not routinely measure a wide range of PFAS compounds in drinking water.

Dr O’Carroll said much more research is needed to understand how widespread and harmful PFAS is to the environment.

“We need to look at the impacts of the PFAS we put into the environment on human health and the ecosystem,” Professor O’Carroll said.

“PFAS is one example, but there are a range of chemicals that we put into the environment every day, so we need to have a broad understanding as a society.”