Surrey researchers awarded £950k to tackle ‘forever chemicals’

Ultrasound technology could be key to enabling the biological breakdown of so-called ‘forever chemicals’, say researchers at the University of Surrey.

Forever chemicals are a class of extremely persistent synthetic chemicals that, even at low levels, may increase cancer risk and cause hormonal disruption and developmental abnormalities. 

The research team has been awarded £947,000 from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to conduct a first-of-its-kind pilot that will use ultrasound technology in combination with biodegradation to break down per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are still commonly found in products like pizza boxes, dental floss and cookware. 

SonoBio is a hybrid technology that combines high-frequency ultrasound with the activity of microorganisms to treat PFAS and turn them into relatively harmless carbon dioxide and fluoride.   

Dr Madeleine Bussemaker, senior lecturer in chemical engineering, said: “These chemicals are everywhere, found in nearly every person and countless everyday products.

“They’re incredibly tough to break down, which is why they stick around in our bodies and the environment for decades.

“That’s why we’re delighted to have the support of UKRI in our effort to one day render obsolete the ‘forever’ tag attached to these persistent chemicals.”

Current methods struggle to fully degrade PFAS, especially when using biological processes alone.

While high-frequency ultrasound can completely break down PFAS, it’s most effective in certain forms and for high concentrations.

The engineering of biological processes along with microbial electrochemistry can recover energy and make the process more sustainable, says the Surrey team.

So, by combining high-frequency ultrasound with (electro)microbial action, SonoBio could be a powerful, sustainable solution for the complete breakdown and removal of PFAS from the environment. 

Claudio Avignone Rossa, professor of systems microbiology, added: “This is a multi- and interdisciplinary collaboration that combines our strong basic and applied background in chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry and bioanalysis, allowing us to design strategies to degrade those pollutants and reduce their severe, long-lasting effects.”

The pilot begins in 2025.