Chaplin featured on Green Sense podcast about PFAS research, ReNEW grant
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Chemical Engineering Professor Brian Chaplin was recently featured on Green Sense, a podcast that explores practical, cost-effective, and innovative environmental solutions to real-world issues.
The podcast is hosted by Robert Colangelo, an entrepreneur, scientist, and author who talks with experts across a variety of global sectors, including energy, transportation, food, agriculture, water and waste management, and climate.
On the podcast, Chaplin and Colangelo discussed Chaplin’s recent NSF Great Lakes ReNEW grant and his research with PFAS, poly-fluoroalkyl substances, also known as Forever Chemicals. The two also talked about engineering career paths, water treatment, and removing toxins.
The NSF ReNEW grant is a multi-state partnership that creates a hub for research and economic development around the Great Lakes region. Through this project, Chaplin and his team are researching the recovery of nutrients and energy, mainly by reusing industrial wastewater sources. More specifically, ReNEW is focused on inventing new ways to extract valuable minerals, removing toxic chemicals from industrial wastewater, and creating a diverse workforce in the water industry.
“Water is critical to a sustainable city, so conserving it and using it more wisely is very important,” he said.
Chaplin said that his PFAS research explores alternatives to the combustion process with promising technologies such as electrochemical oxidation.