Our Research Microparticle systems for the removal of organic micropollutants

Schematic diagram of micelle-laden hydrogel particles in a packed bed for the removal of micropollutants.

Left side depicts dirty, brown water coming form sink faucet and right side is cartoon depiction of microscope looking at organic micropollutants

Photo Credit: iStock Images, Doyle research team

Schematic diagram of micelle-laden hydrogel particles in a packed bed for the removal of micropollutants.

Photo Credit: iStock Images, Doyle research team

Principal Investigator

Patrick Doyle

Robert T. Haslam (1911) Professor of Chemical Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering

Professor Pat Doyle is a chemical engineering professor at MIT with broad research interests ranging from fundamental studies of single DNA molecules, to microfluidic devices, to water purification, to the design of new technologies for spatial detection of miRNA. He is also the co-founder of the startup companies Firefly Bioworks (acquired by Abcam in 2015), and Motif Micro (acquired by YPB Systems in 2018). He works closely with many companies as either a consultant, SAB advisor or through sponsored research in his lab.

Challenge:

Can we remove micropollutants from water using a continuous process with components which are easily regenerated?

Research Strategy

Develop a microparticle-based platform to remove a broad class of organic micropollutants from waste water
Demonstrate regeneration of the particles at mild conditions
Develop a fluidized bed device for water treatment

Project description

Removing organic contaminants from water is a key environmental challenge. Wastewater from industrial and agricultural processes often contains solvents, petrochemicals, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, hormones, and pesticides, which all can enter natural water systems. While these micropollutants may be present at low concentrations, they can still have a significant negative impact on aquatic ecosystems as well as human health. The challenge is in detecting and removing these micropollutants, because of the low concentrations in which they occur.

This seed project is developing a system to remove a variety of micropollutants, at even the smallest concentrations, using a special hydrogel particle that can be “tuned” to remove selective contaminants. In addition to being highly selective, it is also a cleaner and more efficient filtration solution, as these hydrogels do not require the harsh conditions and cleaning chemicals that many existing filtration systems require. Leveraging the flexibility of these particles, this technology can improve the speed, precision, efficiency, and environmental sustainability of industrial water cleaning systems, and improve the health of the natural water systems upon which humans and our surrounding ecosystems rely.

Outcomes

Developed affordable, sustainable soap-based systems to eliminate emerging micropollutants in water
Engineered microparticles to have a lower carbon footprint than activated carbon and outperform activated carbon for removal of low concentration micropollutants
Created methods to regenerate the particles