Haeleen Hong

Worldwide consumption of plastics has resulted in the widespread dispersal of microplastics in the marine environment. It is increasing concern because of its persistence and toxic effects on the oceans, wildlife, and humans. The microplastic could enter the food web, migrate through animals, and move up to human beings. The conventional water treatment methods, like filtration, are impractical to treat the enormous volume of water and micro-scale particles because of high expense, low throughput, and disruption to aquatic life.

My research focuses on a new cleanup technique for the remediation of microplastics in the bulk aquatic system, like the ocean or river, by using active particles. I will use highly branched soft dendrimers made of biodegradable material to remove microplastic particles from water. Their physical characteristic, highly branched structure like legs of the gecko lizards, causes adhesion to microplastic particles with van der Waals attraction. Microplastics entangle within branches and form condensed aggregates. And then, the agglomerations will float to the surface of the water to make them easy to collect.

Also, I will integrate dendrimers to motile particles that can self-propel by the Marangoni effect. This will enable the dendrimers to navigate a large volume of water to find microplastics and then to enhance water remediation efficiency with a minimal amount of cleaner.  This project will provide an advanced approach to the removal of widespread microplastics and contribute to the valorization of water treatment technology.