Invention Summary: Water safety and quality are fundamental to human development and well-being. Development of enhanced and inexpensive water treatment technologies is becoming increasingly important if clean water is to be made readily available on a global scale. Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a method to synthesize polythioether from thionated lactide for water treatment applications. The materials will serve as sorbants that extract metal ions from aqueous solutions. As proof of concept, inventors have synthesized and characterized a polychelatogen that exhibits a high affinity for toxic lead ions in aqueous solutions. This method has the potential to be adapted to other heavy metals, a mix of metal ion compositions, or to remove uranium from seawater. Market Applications:
Advantages:
Intellectual Property & Development Status: US Patent 10,669,378. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration.