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Remediation of acid mine drainage water using selective metal-harvesting membranes

Award Number: R43ES037224
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/24/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2025

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Remediation of acid mine drainage water using selective metal-harvesting membranes - PROJECT SUMMARY Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of mining’s biggest environmental by-products and has contaminated thousands of kilometers of waterways globally. This pollution is devastating to the environment, wildlife, and human health. However, current AMD-remediation technologies are expensive and do not effectively solve the issue, due to the generation of large amounts of secondary streams with high concentrations of heavy metals (e.g., sludge). Towards a solution, the proposed project goal is to develop our patented membrane-based separation process, Ion-Capture Electrodialysis (IC-ED), for AMD remediation, demonstrating simultaneous desalination and metal recovery using a lab-scale prototype. Our innovative technology has the potential to significantly reduce costs, energy consumption, and waste generation related to AMD remediation by the integration of multiple processes into a single step. These environmental and economic advantages of our next- generation technology align with the NIEHS mission and the objectives of the Superfund Research Program in developing technologies that protect health and the environment, especially those related to mining- contaminated waters. The proposed project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of our technology under AMD- relevant conditions and treatment processes, helping to bridge the gap between research and commercialization—a critical step towards achieving environmental sustainability and commercial viability. Our first project aim is to optimize our fabrication methods for pilot-scale production, ensuring that the high performance of our novel metal-harvesting membranes is maintained. Once this is achieved, we will incorporate these materials into a continuous, lab-scale IC-ED system. Our testing will proceed in stages: initially with ideal solutions, containing only copper, and subsequently with synthetic or real AMD solutions. We aim to optimize system parameters to achieve at least a 90% copper capture rate and at least a 90% desalination rate, processing at a minimum flow rate of 1 liter per day. Additionally, demonstrating the reusability of our materials to minimize process downtime is crucial. Thus, we will focus on showing that the membranes can be regenerated by developing methods to recover the captured copper. This phase will examine both in-situ and ex-situ regeneration methods, with success defined by maintaining at least 90% of the original performance rates in terms of copper capture and desalination. Achieving these aims will validate the feasibility of our technology for AMD treatment applications and enable us to advance our long-term goals of mitigating the environmental impact of AMD.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	CHEMFINITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.	710 PARKSIDE AVE	BROOKLYN	NY	11226	KINGS	USA	NIEHS Superfund Hazardous Substances_Basic Research and Education	000	1	4/20/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $138,738 )
2025	2025	CHEMFINITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.	710 PARKSIDE AVE	BROOKLYN	NY	11226	KINGS	USA	NIEHS Superfund Hazardous Substances_Basic Research and Education	000	1	12/23/2024	NEW	$138,738
														Subtotal = $138,738

Grand Total All Awards = $138,738

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Remediation of acid mine drainage water using selective metal-harvesting membranes

Award Number: R43ES037224

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/24/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2025

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