Session: 19-05: Symposium to Honor Professor Jane Davidson V

Paper Number: 169503

169503 - The Circular Water Economy: Addressing the Global Water-Energy Nexus Challenge 

Abstract: 

The global demand for freshwater continues to rise due to economic growth and urbanization, while available supplies are increasingly limited, resulting in heightened water stress worldwide. At the same time, water and energy are deeply interconnected: water is required for energy production, and energy is needed for water production. In the U.S., municipal wastewater treatment alone consumes approximately 3% of the nation’s electricity, yet only about 10% of the treated water is recovered and reused. To address these challenges, this presentation proposes a circular water economy vision that optimizes the water-energy nexus by recovering and reusing critical resources—such as critical minerals, nutrients, organics, and freshwater—for sustainable purposes. A key enabler of this circular economy is the availability of low-cost, real-time water quality monitoring. Current detection methods for critical water contaminants are often expensive or unsuitable for in-situ, real-time analysis. To overcome these limitations, this talk will introduce an innovative approach for real-time water sensing, leveraging the molecular engineering of 2D nanomaterials in a field-effect transistor (FET) platform. The sensor works by detecting changes in the electrical conductivity of the 2D nanomaterial channel, which occurs when chemical or biological species bind to molecular probes anchored on the nanomaterial’s surface. This enables precise detection of a wide range of analytes—including PFAS, heavy metals, bacteria, and nutrients—by measuring changes in the sensor’s resistance. This patented technology offers a powerful solution for real-time detection of contaminants with high sensitivity and selectivity, suitable for both one-time testing and continuous, in-line monitoring in field settings. The presentation will explore the molecular engineering behind this sensor, focusing on the design of the nanomaterial channel and the molecular probes, through both theoretical models and experimental results. Finally, the talk will conclude with a discussion on the translation of this platform from concept to prototype product, highlighting industry partnerships that are driving its commercial development.

Presenting Author: Junhong Chen University of Chicago

Presenting Author Biography: Junhong Chen is currently Crown Family Professor of Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and Lead Water Strategist & Senior Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory. He also serves as the Science Leader for Argonne’s presence in the City of Chicago (Argonne in Chicago). Since March 1, 2024, he has been serving as the Co-PI and Use-inspired R&D Lead for the NSF Great Lakes ReNEW Water Innovation Engine. Prior to coming to Chicago, Dr. Chen served as a program director for the Engineering Research Centers program of the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the director of NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) on Water Equipment & Policy (WEP). He founded NanoAffix Science LLC to commercialize real-time water sensors based on 2D nanomaterials. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from University of Minnesota in 2002 and was a postdoctoral scholar in chemical engineering at California Institute of Technology from 2002 to 2003. His current research focuses on nanomaterial innovation for sustainable energy and environment. Dr. Chen has published 300 journal papers and has been listed as a highly cited researcher (top 1%) in materials science/cross-field by Clarivate Analytics. He is an elected fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry, National Academy of Inventors, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.