CHE 598 Seminar: Liquid Phase Plasma Discharge Technology for Complete Destruction of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
About the event
SPEAKER: Dr. Sarah Wu, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Idaho
BIOGRAPHY:
Dr. Sarah Wu is an Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Idaho. She earned her Ph.D. in Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering and an M.S. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Wu’s research focuses on developing advanced physicochemical and biological treatment technologies for environmental and agricultural applications, with particular emphasis on nonthermal plasma processes for the destruction of persistent contaminants such as PFAS, heavy metals, and antibiotics, as well as food processing, nutrient recovery, renewable energy production, CO2 conversion, and nanomaterial synthesis. Her work integrates fundamental studies of plasma–liquid interactions with applied reactor design to achieve accelerated chemical and biological reactions. In addition to her research, Dr. Wu is dedicated to mentoring students and advancing interdisciplinary engineering education that bridges environmental, biological, and chemical engineering principles.
ABSTRACT:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are among the most recalcitrant environmental contaminants due to the exceptional stability of the carbon–fluorine bond, which makes conventional treatment technologies largely ineffective. This seminar presents recent advances in liquid phase plasma discharge (LPPD) technology as a transformative approach for the complete destruction of concentrated PFAS in aqueous systems, such as aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). Unlike advanced oxidation or reduction processes that rely on chemical oxidants, catalysts, or thermal energy, LPPD generates highly reactive species in situ through transient, high-energy plasma microdischarges formed directly within the liquid phase—without the need for external heating or chemical additives. These reactive, nonthermal, and non-equilibrium environments enable efficient cleavage of C–F bonds and mineralization of PFAS into CO2, fluoride ions, and other benign end products, achieving a closed-loop remediation. The presentation will discuss the fundamental plasma–liquid interaction mechanisms, dominant reaction pathways, reactor design principles, and performance metrics of a continuous-flow liquid phase plasma discharge (CLPD) system, highlighting its scalability and potential for sustainable and complete PFAS destruction in water, as well as broader applications in environmental and agricultural systems.