Developing And Demonstrating Nanosensor Technology To Detect, Monitor, and Degrade Pollutants
Funding Agency:
- Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental pollutants such as pesticides, insecticides, dyes, phenols, endocrine disrupters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals, and nitrogen compounds can have adverse effects on human health even at low concentrations. Efforts are consistently being made to develop reliable and simple sensors to detect pollutants even at low levels. Environmental remediation technologies cover a vast range of applications that require tailored engineering solutions for successful implementation. Technologies applied for the treatment of water, soil, or air involve contaminant degradation or sequestration, and often use related processes such as adsorption or reduction/oxidation (redox) reactions. Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have significantly influenced the field of environmental science, where many nanoparticles have been introduced for the detection and remediation of a wide range of contaminants in different matrices [1, 2]. Because of their unique properties, nanomaterials have enabled advances in sensor design such as miniaturization, portability, and rapid signal response times [3]. Nanomaterial-enabled sensors are being designed for efficiency, flexibility, and multiplex-functionality sensing applications. Nanosensors can help monitor many pollutants and environmental chemicals in more cost-effective, efficient, and selective ways than traditional methods [4]. In addition to detection and monitoring, nanotechnology can also be used in the sequestration and degradation of pollutants. Innovative solutions based on nanotechnology have been applied for the treatment of air (removal of volatile organic compounds, greenhouse gases, or bioaerosols), water (removal of heavy metals and pathogens), and soil (application of nanomaterials as amendment agents and as pollutant stabilizers) [5, 6]. This RFA is soliciting research to develop and demonstrate nanosensor technology with functionalized catalysts that have potential to degrade selected contaminants in addition to detecting and monitoring pollutants.
Multiple Awards
It is anticipated that a total of approximately $1.5 million will be awarded under this announcement.
December 7, 2022
Technical Contact: Hayley Aja; phone: 202-564-6427; email: aja.hayley@epa.gov