Now, researchers at North Carolina State University have created an elegant solution. In a single cycle, it completely eliminates microplastics from water. Utilizing innovative particles capable of attracting and capturing microplastics, the system promises significant advancements in cleansing bodies of water, such as oceans, from these harmful tiny plastics. Haeleen Hong, a Ph.D. student collaborating with Orlin Velev, a distinguished professor at NC State, is the primary developer of the system. This pilot project is a remarkable advancement in the science of environmental engineering, and it stands to minimize risks to human health and ecosystems.
Harnessing the Power of Particles
To do this, their system depends on custom-made particles with an inherent adhesion propensity. Their particles are especially effective at entrapping and aggregating all varieties of microplastics and can do so even in harsh, wet, and saline environments. These particles are engineered to "swim" and capture microplastics for up to 30 minutes, providing ample time for substantial collection of pollutants. That’s because the innovation really shines with its ability to blanket a huge swath of space. It passively collects microplastics as they float and sink throughout the water column.
By infusing them with eugenol, a plant-based oil, the particles are given their dispersant properties. This investment helps make that infusion possible. It turns off the “camphor boat effect,” which is responsible for decreasing surface tension on one side of the particle. This push of the particle forward caused by the reduction in surface tension allows the particle to swim across the surface of the water completely. As the particles move through aquatic environments, they pick up microplastics along their path, providing a complete cleansing mechanism.
Advancing Environmental Cleanliness
The launch of this new system is an incredibly exciting step toward making oceans and other waterways cleaner and healthier. Moreover, microplastics have been shown to be dangerous pollutants with negative impacts on human health and the environment. Now, we’re able to get more targeted with them. Small plastics wreak havoc on ecosystems, harming marine species. They can find their way into the human food supply, creating potentially dangerous health effects on humans.
The NC State researchers have addressed these issues directly. Their solution focuses on removing current pollution, while helping to stop future contamination. No matter how extreme—dry or wet, hot or cold—the particles perform remarkably, demonstrating their smart adaptability. Its non-invasiveness creates exciting opportunities for large-scale applications in various aquatic ecosystems.
Publication and Future Implications
The workings of this cutting-edge system have been described in a joint paper published in the prestigious journal Advanced Functional Materials. This writing process was essential to the research development process, and as the first author, Haeleen Hong took on a central role in that process. Orlin Velev, corresponding author of this earth shattering study, as an S. Frank and Doris Culberson Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NC State, he brought deep technical expertise to help lead the research.
The release of this publication is a key moment in environmental engineering research. This opens up a wealth of creative thinking, including new approaches to address complex, chronic pollution problems. Researchers are currently testing and improving this system. Their implementation now promises exciting innovations, which can increase the ingenuity of their use and expand their applications.