Worcester Polytechnic Institute Receives $1.5 Million in Federal Funding to Advance PFAS Destruction Technology
New England Council member Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) announced it had been awarded $1.5 million in federal funding to advance a promising technology for destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), more commonly known as “forever chemicals.” The funding will support research to develop a scalable solution for eliminating PFAS in contaminated soils while producing a renewable biofuel as a byproduct.
The award builds on WPI’s leadership in PFAS remediation and environmental engineering. The project centers on Radical-Initiated Hydrothermal Liquefaction (RI-HTL), which uses heat, pressure, and non-toxic chemicals to break down the strong carbon-fluorine bonds that make PFAS persistent. Early laboratory testing has demonstrated RI-HTL can destroy more than 99% of PFAS.
“WPI researchers are making major strides toward their goal of providing communities with a tool to help solve a problem that some have said is impossible to solve,” said Grace Wang, president of WPI. “With this federal support, we are advancing a technology that not only eliminates so-called forever chemicals but also converts contaminated biomass into sustainable fuels, demonstrating how innovation can protect public health, restore contaminated landscapes, and create a more sustainable future.”
The New England Council congratulates WPI on receiving this funding to advance innovative research with the potential to strengthen PFAS remediation efforts and support a more sustainable future.