Valparaiso University Professor Julie Peller, Ph.D., has received a patent for methods designed to address the pervasive issue of microplastics and nanoplastics in water. The patent, titled “Methods for the Formation of Nanoplastics and the Agglomeration and Removal of Microplastics/Nanoplastics from Water,” outlines processes developed at Valparaiso University to better understand and potentially mitigate this form of pollution.
Globally, an estimated 360 million tons of plastic waste are generated each year, contributing to the widespread presence of these tiny particles. Dr. Peller’s research tackles two key aspects: creating controlled mixtures of plastics in water and then clumping them together for removal.
One part of the patent details a method for the formation and dispersal of plastic particles within water samples. Under normal laboratory conditions, microplastics and nanoplastics do not mix evenly with water. Dr. Peller and her collaborators found that introducing dodecane, an oily substance that also typically does not mix with water, creates conditions where both the plastic particles and dodecane disperse evenly after ultrasonic mixing. This technique allows researchers to create consistent mixtures of plastic particles of specific sizes in water, simplifying the simulation of various environments where plastics are present. These simulated environments can include conditions found within the human body. Dr. Peller noted that "Dodecane can mimic parts of fatty tissue," which could provide new insights for collaborators studying body tissues.
The research also suggests that similar organic substances found in natural bodies of water, like Lake Michigan, can cause this type of mixing to occur naturally. Dr. Peller and her students have previously conducted extensive work in Lake Michigan, gathering and cataloging different types of plastic waste. Jaden Gibson, a chemistry major from the class of 2027 performing research under Dr. Peller, explained that plastic does not degrade but rather breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, potentially posing a health risk and harming the environment. Gibson emphasized the importance of understanding the science behind this fragmentation.
While the exact impact of micro and nanoplastics on human health is still in the early stages of research, it is known that these plastics are found inside nearly every person on Earth. Simple daily actions, such as placing or removing a water bottle lid, can introduce imperceptibly tiny plastic particles into water. Dr. Peller’s research does not directly focus on human health, but her methods could provide valuable tools for specialists pursuing that topic.
The second aspect of the patent focuses on the agglomeration and removal of micro and nanoplastics from water. This method employs hexadecane, a substance similar to dodecane, which causes plastic particles within a water sample to clump together when mixed effectively, facilitating their removal. While dodecane can also be used for agglomeration, Dr. Peller and collaborating faculty and graduates from the University of Notre Dame have determined that hexadecane is more effective for this purpose. This removal technique has demonstrated success across various levels of water purity and types of plastic, though it has not yet been tested for larger-scale applications.
Research into both aspects of this patent will continue at Valparaiso University. Dr. Peller will work with chemistry majors, including Jaden Gibson and Vincent Grisolano from the class of 2028, to conduct additional tests on the solubilizing process. Concurrently, environmental engineering students from both Valparaiso University’s College of Engineering and the University of Notre Dame, under the supervision of Kyle Doudrick, Ph.D., will continue to develop and refine the agglomeration process. These ongoing efforts represent a continued commitment to understanding and addressing plastic pollution.
