Dartmouth researchers recently developed a self-powered pump that uses natural light and synthetic molecular receptors to target and remove specific water pollutants, as detailed in the journal Science.
The pump operates by activating these receptors with light as water enters, allowing them to bond with negatively charged ions like chloride and bromide. A second wavelength of light then deactivates the receptors as water exits, releasing the trapped pollutants into a nonreactive substrate for safe disposal.
The pump is currently optimized for chloride and bromide, but researchers are working to expand its functionality to address other anion-rich pollutants, such as radioactive waste and phosphates from agricultural runoff. The synthetic receptor's ability to both trap and discharge pollutants allows precise control over the removal process, according to researchers.
