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The researchers tested diatom shells on two exemplary

Manufacturing high-performance air, liquid, and

Consumer Products

Medical & Mask

Specialty Media

Value- Added Serv ices pollutants commonly found in rivers and groundwater due to the textile industry: methylene blue and methyl orange. To enhance the adsorption capacity, the diatomaceous earth was chemically modified by adding specific functional groups to its surface. “This could easily be implemented on an industrial scale,” emphasizes the junior professor for nanomaterials in aquatic systems.

The diatomaceous earth was tested in the lab under various conditions, such as different salt concentrations and pH levels. The results are promising: regardless of the conditions, the material consistently removed pollutants effectively. For comparison, the researchers evaluated silica, a material already established in water purification. Diatomaceous earth performed significantly better: within an hour, up to 100 per cent of methylene blue was removed, whereas silica removed only 88 percent of the dye in the same period. For methyl orange, both silica and diatomaceous earth absorbed about 70 percent of the pollutant.

“We see diatomaceous earth as an ecofriendly and cost-effective solution for water treatment,” Galstyan concludes. The significant advantage is that algae are a renewable resource and can be cultivated with minimal energy input –unlike the commonly used filter material, activated carbon.

The researchers are now examining how diatomaceous earth can be used in membranes for water purification. Thanks to the world’s largest algae collection, housed at the University of Duisburg-Essen, the conditions for developing this environmentally friendly technology are ideal. Juliana Fischer, Editor, University of DuisburgEssen, can be reached at +49 203/37 9-1488, juliana.fischer-uni-due.de.

*C. A. Ojike, V. Hagen, B. Beszteri, A. Galstyan, Surface-Functionalized Diatoms as Green NanoAdsorbents for the Removal of Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange as Model Dyes from Aqueous Solution. Adv. Sustainable Syst. 2025, 2400776.

More information: https://doi.org/10.1002/ adsu.202400776.

Contact: Prof. Dr. Anzhela Galstyan, Analytische Chemie, Tel. +49 201/18 3-3963, anzhela.galstyan@ uni-due.de

Read: https://www.uni-due.de/2025-01-24-waterpurification-with-algae q Analytical determination of PFAS samples by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry coupling after filtering.

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH (TUM)

TUM Researchers Develop Highly Effective Filter Material

Removing hazardous PFAS chemicals from drinking water.

The chemicals known as PFAS are considered a severe threat to human health. Among other things, they can cause liver damage, cancer, and hormonal disorders. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now developed a new, efficient method of filtering these substances out of drinking water. They rely on so-called metal-organic framework compounds, which work much better than the materials commonly used to date. Even extremely low concentrations of PFAS in the water can still be captured.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are considered “forever chemicals:” they generally do not decompose on their own even after centuries and, therefore, pose a long-term threat to humans and animals. PFAS have been used in numerous products such as textiles, firefighting foams, and food packaging, and have thus been released into the environment. The substances can accumulate in the body via food and drinking water, and thus cause serious health issues.

The team led by Nebojša Ilić from the TUM Chair of Urban Water Systems

Engineering and Prof. Soumya Mukherjee, a former Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral researcher at the TUM Chair of Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry during the study period and now Assistant Professor of Materials Chemistry at the University of Limerick, identified water-stable metal-organic framework compounds made of zirconium carboxylate as particularly effective PFAS filters. The bespoke class of materials is characterized by the adaptable pore sizes and surface chemistry. The materials are water-resistant and highly electrostatically charged. By specifically designing the structures and combining them with polymers, the filter capacity has been significantly improved compared to materials already in use, such as activated carbon and special resins.

Prof. Jörg Drewes, Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, emphasizes the great social significance of the research results: “PFAS pose a constant threat to public health. For too long, the negative effects of the chemicals, which, among other things, ensure that rain jackets are waterproof and breathable, have been underestimated. The industry has now started to rethink this, but the legacy of PFAS will continue to affect us for several generations to come.”

Researchers from the TUM School of Natural Sciences worked together with colleagues from the TUM School of

Engineering and Design and simulation experts from the TUM School of Computation, Information, and Technology to develop and research the new filters. Prof. Roland Fischer, Chair of Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry, emphasizes: “When solving such major challenges, experts from a wide range of disciplines have to work together. You simply can't get anywhere on your own. I am delighted that this approach has again proved its worth here.”

However, it will be some time before this new filter material is adopted at large scale in waterworks. The newly discovered principle would have to be implemented with sustainably available, inexpensive materials that are safe in every respect. This will require considerable further research and engineering solutions.

© Technical University of Munich

Read: https://www.tum.de/en/news-and-events/all-news/press-releases/details/ removing-hazardous-pfas-chemicals-from-drinking-water

SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Memsift Innovations Partners with Singapore Institute of Technology to Pioneer Nanofiltration Membranes for Chemical Recovery

Memsift Innovations Pte Ltd has announced a pioneering research collaboration with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to develop innovative chemical-resistant hollow fiber nanofiltration (NF) membranes. These advanced membranes are designed to recover valuable chemicals from spent acids and bases in liquidwaste produced by the microelectronics and semiconductor industries, offering a sustainable alternative to existing practices.

The semiconductor industry, a cornerstone of modern technology, faces significant environmental challenges due to its intensive use of water and chemicals. Wastewater generated from semiconductor manufacturing processes is often laden with high concentrations of spent acids, bases, and heavy metals, making treatment both technically complex and financially burdensome. Current solutions, such as neutralization and incineration, are energy-intensive and environmentally damaging, creating an urgent need for more sustainable alternatives, especially as global regulations tighten.

“The collaboration between Memsift and SIT addresses the urgent need for innovative liquid-waste treatment solutions that prioritize sustainability and circular economy principles,” said Dr. J Antony Prince, the founder and CEO of Memsift Innovations.

This partnership focuses on developing a new generation of NF membranes with enhanced chemical resistance, selective permeability, and robust performance. Advanced materials such as functionalized graphene and hybrid organic-inorganic nanomaterials will be utilized to ensure the membranes can withstand the harsh chemical environments found in semiconductor wastewater. The membranes are tailored to recover over 90% of valuable chemicals, such as those used in stripping baths for removing photoresist and organic residues from wafers. The performance of these membranes will be optimized through cutting-edge characterization techniques and tested rigorously with real industrial wastewater. The technology will also undergo an onsite demonstration at a global microelectronics manufacturing facility in Singapore by the end of 2025.

The adoption of these NF membranes is expected to significantly reduce the volume of waste requiring downstream treatment and disposal, delivering tangible benefits such as lower operational costs, minimized energy consumption, and a reduced environmental footprint. Beyond the semiconductor sector, these membranes hold potential for broader industrial applications where resource recovery from high-strength wastewater streams is essential.

SIT will contribute its expertise in membrane design, formation and fabrication, along with property characterization and performance analysis. This complements Memsift’s industrial experience and intellectual property (IP) in advanced membrane technologies, creating a strong synergy for the development and optimization of advanced nanofiltration membranes. This exemplifies the impactful interplay between academia and industry to address an important problem in waste management.

Furthermore, SIT students will gain invaluable hands-on experience through this partnership, preparing them for future roles in sustainable engineering. At least three students from the Pharmaceutical Engineering and Chemical Engineering degree programmes will be involved in polymer processing, membrane fabrication, filtration equipment operation, and process analytical techniques.

“This partnership showcases SIT’s deep expertise in membrane technology and commitment to sustainability and innovation. By combining our research capabilities with Memsift’s industry experience, we are developing advanced solutions for high-value manufacturing sectors, while equipping students with hands-on skills to drive real-world impact,” said Associate Professor Zuo Jian, the principal investigator leading the research team from SIT.

This initiative reinforces Memsift Innovations’ position as an emerging player in sustainable water management technologies. The chemical-resistant NF membranes developed through this collaboration promise to redefine liquidwaste treatment in the semiconductor industry, setting new benchmarks for efficiency, sustainability, and resource recovery.

Memsift Innovations is an emerging leader in membrane-based separation and purification solutions. Their innovative technologies include Improved Membrane Distillation (IMD), which efficiently recovers valuable materials from industrial effluents while reducing environmental impact. Additionally, their Chemical-Resistant Ultrafiltration/Nanofiltration (CR UF/NF) systems set new standards for purification, with the capability to withstand harsh chemicals and selectively separate components.

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) offers industry-relevant degree programs that prepare its graduates to be work- and future-ready professionals. Its mission is to maximize the potential of its learners and to innovate with industry, through an integrated applied learning and research approach, so as to contribute to the economy and society. Its focus on applied research with business impact is aimed at helping industry innovate and grow.