Development of a Smart PFAS-Collector for High-Throughput PFAS Detection - Project Summary/Abstract
1 Rising awareness of the ubiquity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) coupled with
2 growing evidence of human health hazards has led to increased PFAS testing of water sources
3 that feed drinking-water supplies. Early estimations of the PFAS treatment market are at $3.1Bn,
4 with testing representing a key revenue driver. While highly accurate, current high resolution mass
5 spectroscopy (HRMS) PFAS detection methods have high per sample costs and long turnaround
6 times. The specialized equipment is expensive and requires skilled personnel and laborious
7 sample preparation. As a result, budget-strapped stakeholders may limit the comprehensive
8 testing needed for site assessment. Long turnaround times can mean continued community
9 exposure and uncertainty of clean-up progress. AxNano is developing a low-cost, high-
10 throughput, portable PFAS-detection method. We aim to initially develop this as a screening tool
11 for environmental engineers to provide real-time data of elevated PFAS levels to inform exposures
12 and further testing needs. Long-term goals are to achieve specificity and detection limits
13 necessary for receiving EPA approval. This technology meets the specific Superfund Research
14 Program need of “nanotechnology-based sensors” to “characterize [and] monitor hazardous
15 substances at contaminated sites”.
16 The specific objectives of this Phase I SBIR program are the development of and bench-scale
17 testing of AxNano’s PFAS-targeting “smart” collector, which is a key component of our high
18 throughput PFAS detector. The long-term objectives of this multidisciplinary technology
19 development program will integrate material science, advanced spectroscopy, and data analytics.
20 The key innovation in this work is unique PFAS-targeting nanoparticles that will produce a
21 fluorescence signal upon binding PFAS. Our initial goal is ppb level detection, and ultimately ppt
22 to meet regulatory requirements. Specific tasks of this Phase I include lab-scale manufacturing of
23 a suite of surface-modified fluorescent nanoparticles and testing for PFAS-targeting and -
24 detecting abilities. Promising candidates will be down-selected according to specific criteria and
25 integrated into a pre-prototype “smart” collector, which will then be tested at bench-scale. Phase
26 I will test proof-of-concept against standard solutions of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA),
27 perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and an Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF) Ansulite.
28 Additional tasks involve preparing for prototyping and broader PFAS compound testing in realistic
29 environments in Phase II.
