Nanocellulose materials for stormwater ammonia and nitrogen removal
Proof-of-concept research using plant-based nanocellulose fibrils incorporated into soil matrices to capture ammonia and nitrogen during stormwater events, with natural microbial recharge between storms. Targets urban stormwater pollution challenges.
Overview
This research investigates the use of nanocellulose fibrils as an environmentally benign additive to soil-based stormwater treatment systems. The approach addresses two key challenges in urban water management: rapid capture of ammonia and nitrogen during stormwater runoff, and sustainable regeneration of the treatment media between storm events. By leveraging plant-based nanomaterials within planted soil reactors, the system aims to provide a scalable, nature-based solution for reducing nitrogen pollution in waterways.
The core value proposition is a dual-function treatment matrix that sequesters pollutants quickly during high-flow events and then naturally recharges through soil microbial activity. This combination of nanotechnology and plant-stimulated bioremediation offers a potentially low-cost, sustainable alternative to conventional stormwater treatment infrastructure.
Technical specifications
Treatment system design:
- Soil reactor with bottom porous gravel layer for water collection and quality monitoring
- Sandy soil matrix overlain by poplar trees to stimulate microbial activity
- Synthetic wastewater application at the top with clean water collection at the bottom
- Side ports for matrix sampling to monitor nitrogen species over time
Nanocellulose integration:
- Cellulosic nanofibrils produced as aerogels or solution suspensions
- Top application method simulating full-scale deployment
- Designed to sorb cationic species such as ammonium (NH4+) and anionic species such as nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-)
- Plant-based material with demonstrated environmental benignity
Validation parameters:
- Comparison of nitrogen removal with and without nanofibrils (n=3 replicates)
- Synthetic wastewater containing 10 mg/L NH4+ applied to test systems
- Monitoring of NH4+, NO3-, and total nitrogen in bottom water
- Matrix nitrogen species tracked for 10 days post-storm
- Longevity testing across two growth seasons with replicate storm events
Technology readiness level
This project is at the proof-of-concept stage. The research team has already designed, constructed, and demonstrated a working test system for simulating storm events with controlled pollution levels. Prior work has separately documented nanocellulose fibril production and their ability to remove organic, cationic, and anionic pollutants. The current phase focuses on validating whether combining these elements in a planted soil matrix delivers the hypothesized rapid capture and natural recharge performance. Further development would be needed to scale the approach from laboratory reactors to field-deployable stormwater treatment installations.
About University of Washington
The University of Washington is a large public research university with campuses in Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma, known for a broad portfolio from fundamental discovery to applied innovation. Industry partners engage through a South Lake Union research campus adjacent to a major life sciences district and through collaboration programs that place faculty and students alongside corporate R&D. The university’s integration with a major academic health system enables clinical translation and large-scale trials. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NIH, NSF, DOE, and DoD. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup incubation with prototyping resources.
delivered to your inbox.