Friday, 31 Oct 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • 🔥
  • Trump
  • VIDEO
  • House
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Tech and Science > Hot New Tech Turns Forever Chemicals Into Valuable Resource : ScienceAlert
Tech and Science

Hot New Tech Turns Forever Chemicals Into Valuable Resource : ScienceAlert

Last updated: April 18, 2025 12:10 pm
Share
Hot New Tech Turns Forever Chemicals Into Valuable Resource : ScienceAlert
SHARE

New Method Discovered for Destroying ‘Forever Chemicals’ PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as ‘forever chemicals’, have become a major concern due to their widespread presence and potential health risks. A groundbreaking study led by researchers from Rice University in Texas has unveiled a promising new approach to effectively eliminate PFAS from the environment.

PFAS earned their nickname because of their persistence in the environment and the difficulty in removing them. However, the research team discovered that subjecting PFAS to extreme temperatures exceeding 3,000 °C or 5,432 °F can rapidly break down these harmful chemicals.

What sets this method apart is that it not only destroys PFAS but also converts the granular activated carbon (GAC) used to capture PFAS into valuable graphene. The PFAS themselves are transformed into inorganic fluoride salts through this innovative process.

Heat process
The researchers were able to safely remove PFAS from water. (Scotland et al., Nature Water, 2025)

Chemist James Tour from Rice University expressed the significance of this method, stating, “Our method doesn’t just destroy these hazardous chemicals; it turns waste into something of value. By upcycling the spent carbon into graphene, we’ve created a process that’s not only environmentally beneficial but also economically viable, helping to offset the costs of remediation.”

Previous methods using GAC to remove PFAS resulted in hazardous waste. Through the application of flash joule heating (FJH), the researchers were able to upcycle the material, making the cleanup process environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

The study demonstrated a remarkable 99.98 percent removal of perfluorooctanoic acid, a common PFAS, from the GAC. Computer simulations complementing the lab experiments revealed that the extreme heat disrupts the bonds within PFAS molecules, with sodium and calcium salts acting as mineralizing agents.

See also  Stuck in the tech stone age? Windows 11 Pro for $20 is your time machine
Phelecia Scotland
Phelecia Scotland, the first author of the new study. (Rice University)

Materials scientist Phelecia Scotland emphasized the transformative nature of this approach, stating, “This dual-purpose approach is a game changer. It transforms waste into a resource while providing a scalable, cost-effective solution to an urgent environmental issue.”

The newly developed method is efficient, cost-effective, and energy-efficient compared to traditional PFAS removal techniques. The researchers are optimistic about scaling up this approach for broader application and targeting other types of forever chemicals.

Given the widespread use of PFAS in various industries and products, finding effective strategies to remove them from the environment is crucial. This breakthrough offers hope for safeguarding water quality and protecting public health on a global scale as concerns over PFAS contamination continue to rise.

The research findings have been published in Nature Water, showcasing the potential of this innovative method in combating the challenges posed by ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS.

TAGGED:ChemicalsHotResourceScienceAlertTechTurnsvaluable
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article In a Veneer-Obsessed World, These Are the Celebs Who Rebel and Celebrate Their Natural Teeth In a Veneer-Obsessed World, These Are the Celebs Who Rebel and Celebrate Their Natural Teeth
Next Article Capital One’s .5bn takeover of Discover Financial approved by US Capital One’s $35.5bn takeover of Discover Financial approved by US
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

Inactivity Is Bad For Your Brain Health

Exercise is often touted as being beneficial for overall health, but recent research has shed…

June 27, 2025

Paramount to Pay Trump $16 Million to Settle ’60 Minutes’ Lawsuit

Paramount Global has chosen to settle a lawsuit with President Donald Trump by paying him…

July 1, 2025

How To Clean Suede Shoes: A Complete Step-By-Step Guide

Investing in a quality protector not only extends the life of your shoes but also…

July 22, 2025

WhatsApp now has more than 3 billion users a month

WhatsApp Surpasses 3 Billion Monthly Users, Key Platform for Meta’s AI Strategy During Meta’s Q1…

May 1, 2025

Shedeur Sanders’ 2025 NFL Draft Drama: Terry Crews Weighs In

Terry Crews, former NFL player turned actor, shared his thoughts on Shedeur Sanders' NFL Draft…

May 3, 2025

You Might Also Like

Bevel raises M Series A from General Catalyst for its AI health companion
Tech and Science

Bevel raises $10M Series A from General Catalyst for its AI health companion

October 31, 2025
Red Spider Nebula Holds a Secret in Its Glowing Heart, JWST Reveals : ScienceAlert
Tech and Science

Red Spider Nebula Holds a Secret in Its Glowing Heart, JWST Reveals : ScienceAlert

October 31, 2025
Stopping breaches at machine speed demands agents, not alerts
Tech and Science

Stopping breaches at machine speed demands agents, not alerts

October 31, 2025
Trump’s Baffling Call for Resuming U.S. Nuclear Tests
Tech and Science

Trump’s Baffling Call for Resuming U.S. Nuclear Tests

October 31, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?