Potential-controlled 3D catalytic matrix for groundwater selenium removal
A semi-passive, solar-powered 3D catalytic-carbon matrix designed for selenium remediation in groundwater, utilizing natural flow to trigger electrochemical processes that convert dissolved selenium into insoluble forms.
Overview
The potential-controlled 3D catalytic matrix is an innovative solution for removing selenium from groundwater. It uses a semi-passive, zero-chemical approach by employing a highly porous carbon matrix loaded with catalysts. Powered by standalone micro-solar energy, this system operates without the need for grid infrastructure. Groundwater naturally flows through the matrix, where electrochemical processes create acidic microenvironments that convert dissolved selenium into insoluble forms trapped within the matrix. This method ensures effective selenium remediation without continuous chemical dosing, making it suitable for in-well or permeable reactive barrier (PRB) deployment.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Highly porous (>90%) catalyst-loaded carbon matrix
- Operates on standalone, intermittent micro-solar energy, eliminating the need for grid connections
- Electrochemical generation of localized acidic microenvironments for selenium conversion
- Effective with a 50/50 mix of Se(VI) and Se(IV), demonstrating over 80% reduction in lab trials
- Auto-acidification mechanism stabilizes pH at ~3.5 without external acid feeding
- Avoids deep reducing environments that could mobilize arsenic
- Scalable "tea-bag" style in-well cartridge or PRB module under development
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 4, this technology has been validated in laboratory settings and is transitioning to field-ready prototypes. Planned phases include optimizing flow adaptation, conducting flow-through validation with site-relevant matrices, and finalizing prototype engineering for scalable deployment.
About Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a major public land‑grant research university with a comprehensive academic portfolio and a large research enterprise. Industry partners engage through an on‑campus U.S. Department of Energy national user facility and shared core laboratories with user access. The university provides a chemical process scale‑up pilot plant on Michigan’s lakeshore, a research and technology park, and a Grand Rapids health innovation campus linking researchers with clinical partners. A statewide extension network supports field deployment and workforce training across Michigan’s manufacturing corridor. Research is backed by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, and DoD, while dedicated tech transfer and corporate engagement teams—supported by an affiliated research foundation—accelerate IP, licensing, startups, and sponsored research.
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