# Project 5 Nano-micro Hybrid Fibrous Materials for Containment Removal and Site Remediation

> **NIH NIH P42** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $177,003

## Abstract

Project Abstract:
Historic air, water and soil pollution in North Birmingham from complex industrial processes
resulted in surface and air contamination with heavy metals and other toxic compounds.
Resuspension of particulate matter due to weathering, traffic, industrial and other human
activities containing some of the heavy metal particles from soil could pose high health-risk in
the neighborhood. It has been determined that soil in some of the properties contains high level
of metals such as Cd, As, Mn, etc. On the other hand continuous open pit mining operations
including large piles of waste and ash represent permanent sources of the pollutants emission
and measures of site isolation and remediation are necessary. The goal of the “Nano-Micro
Hybrid Fibrous Materials for Contaminant Removal and Site Remediation” project is to fabricate
and field-test a number of affordable high surface area carbonaceous / meso-micro porous
hybrid materials fabricated from natural-fibers, industrial carbon fiber waste and carbon fiber
derived from textile grade precursor which would be effective for removal of contaminants from
soil and for air filtration in households. The target contaminants are heavy metals such as Cd,
Mn and As which are usually attached to/present in particulate matter in air and soil. Activated
carbon fibers (ACF) derived from low cost- sources will have high surface area and surface
functionalities to synergistically combine filtration and adsorption of HM with affordability and
sustainability of multiscale mat/adsorbent. Multidisciplinary UAB team and UT/ORNL
manufacturing team jointly provides a unique platform for collaboration for the successful
execution of the proposal. Accordingly in Specific Aim 1, we chemically and physically
functionalize the natural fiber derived CF for effective adsorption/filtration of HM. In Specific Aim
2, a thorough characterization for surface are pore-geometry, volume of various CFs. In Specific
Aim 3, we will carry out feasibility production of controlled material forms for filtration and field-
testing for remediation. We will work closely with other projects (1-4) and cores (Data
Management and Analysis Core support, DMA the Administrative and Research Translation
Core) to translate research findings to expedite the use of project outcomes by end-users
focused on risk assessment and remediation management of exposure to hazardous
substances (Cd, As, Mn).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9840809
- **Project number:** 1P42ES027723-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** CLAUDIU T LUNGU
- **Activity code:** P42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $177,003
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9840809

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9840809, Project 5 Nano-micro Hybrid Fibrous Materials for Containment Removal and Site Remediation (1P42ES027723-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9840809. Licensed CC0.

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