UD chemical engineer leads $6 million tri-state research effort to address PFAS in water
The presence of so-called “forever chemicals” in water supplies has become a growing concern in communities across the country. Known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, these chemicals are widely used in household and industrial products because they repel heat, water and oil. Because of their strong chemical bonds, PFAS do not easily break down over time, allowing them to linger at levels that can harm human health and the environment.
Researchers at the University of Delaware are leading a new multi-institutional effort to develop innovative ways to remove and destroy these persistent pollutants, while also strengthening regional research capacity and workforce development.
With support from a four-year, $6 million award from the National Science Foundation, a team led by UD chemical engineer Dongxia Liu is developing new strategies to remove PFAS from contaminated water and permanently break them down. The project brings together researchers from seven institutions in three states: UD, Delaware State University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, the University of South Carolina, Clemson University and Benedict College.
“PFAS pollution does not stop at state lines, and neither should the solution,” Liu said.
Liu’s team is developing approaches to capture extremely small amounts of PFAS from large volumes of water, then break the strong chemical bonds that make these compounds so durable. By combining advanced materials, electrochemical processes and engineering design, the researchers seek to overcome limitations of existing technologies.
Liu, the Robert K. Grasselli Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and director of UD’s Center for Catalytic Science and Technology, specializes in designing materials and processes that address environmental challenges. Her work on this project draws on expertise in catalysis, materials science and reaction engineering to support more sustainable water treatment solutions.
The project also places a strong emphasis on workforce development. Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and early-career faculty will take part in hands-on, collaborative research designed to build technical skills, leadership experience and long-term research capacity.
“Addressing PFAS contamination requires both scientific innovation and investment in the next generation of researchers,” Liu said. “This work reflects our commitment to applying engineering innovation to real-world environmental challenges, pairing scientific discovery with practical impact for healthier communities.”
The project is supported by one of six major grants awarded in fall 2025 through NSF’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Focused EPSCoR Collaborations (FEC). The award number is 2521374.