# Collaborative Research: ECLIPSE-PFAS: Interfacial Plasma-Liquid Transport and Reactivity with Surfactant Molecules for Efficient PFAS Removal

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (MI) · $403,579

## Abstract

This award is made in response to Dear Colleague Letter 24-130, as part of the ECosystem for Leading Innovation in Plasma Science and Engineering (ECLIPSE) interdisciplinary program. Clean drinking water is very important, but it is beooming harder to find and keep clean because of pollution from factories and other industries. One type of dangerous pollution is from chemicals called PFAS (short for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances). These chemicals are made of carbon and fluorine, and even tiny amounts in drinking water can be harmful to people’s health. Because PFAS does not break down easily, they’re sometimes called "forever chemicals." However, scientists have discovered that plasma — a special state of matter made up of energetic gases — might help remove PFAS from water. When plasma touches water that has PFAS in it, it can break the PFAS into smaller and less harmful parts. In some cases, it might even destroy the PFAS completely. This happens because the plasma creates high-energy electrons, light, and ions (charged particles) that react with the PFAS at the surface of the water. The goal of this project is to better understand how plasma interacts with polluted water and how these reactions can be controlled to clean water more effectively. The project results should enable the design of better systems to remove PFAS and other pollutants from water. This project will also help train new scientists and engineers through a program called the US Low Temperature Plas

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2509694
- **Awardee organization:** Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (MI)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** GNJ7BBP73WE9
- **PI:** Mark J Kushner
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** PROCESS & REACTION ENGINEERING, Ecosystem Leading Innovation Plasma S&E, PLASMA PHYSICS, ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
- **Estimated total:** $403,579
- **Funds obligated:** $403,579
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2509694

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2509694, Collaborative Research: ECLIPSE-PFAS: Interfacial Plasma-Liquid Transport and Reactivity with Surfactant Molecules for Efficient PFAS Removal. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2509694. Licensed CC0.

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