Non-Uniform Electrode Field for PFAS Adsorption in Water

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies are inadequate in efficiently removing persistent and harmful per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water without causing chemical reactions or electrical current flow, which can lead to environmental persistence and health risks.

Innovation Solution

An electrode apparatus is used to create a non-uniform electric field between a porous anode and a grounded cathode, allowing polarized molecules like PFAS to be attracted and adsorbed onto the anode without electrical current flow or chemical reaction, using a porous metal or activated carbon anode and a conductive cathode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electrolysis chemical reaction process is used to break contaminants, then contaminants can be broken into small and stable molecules, but chemical reactions and electrical current flow cause environmental persistence and health risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant breakdown efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental persistence and health risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical electrolysis process with a physical dielectric barrier discharge plasma process. Instead of using electrical current to drive chemical reactions that break down contaminants, the invention uses a non-equilibrium plasma field that physically activates reactive species to degrade PFAS molecules, eliminating the need for sustained electrical current flow and reducing harmful chemical byproducts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters from conventional electrolysis conditions (high current density, chemical reactions) to dielectric barrier discharge conditions (pulsed voltage, non-equilibrium plasma). This parameter change allows contaminant breakdown through plasma-mediated processes rather than direct electrolysis, reducing environmental persistence while maintaining degradation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If parallel electrodes are used for electrolysis, then electric current can flow between electrodes to break contaminants, but this causes chemical reactions that lead to environmental persistence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant degradation rateVSAvoidchemical reactions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the electrolysis mechanism with a dielectric barrier discharge plasma mechanism. The system uses a dielectric barrier to prevent direct current flow between electrodes while still enabling plasma formation on the electrode surfaces. This plasma generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that degrade PFAS contaminants without requiring sustained electrical current, thereby eliminating harmful chemical reactions associated with traditional electrolysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If uniform electric field is used, then electric current flows between electrodes, but this causes chemical reactions to polarized molecules

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric field applicationVSAvoidchemical reaction to polarized molecules

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces asymmetry by placing a dielectric barrier on one or both electrodes, creating an asymmetric electric field configuration. This asymmetry prevents charge accumulation and sustained current flow while still allowing the electric field to generate plasma on the electrode surfaces. The dielectric barrier modifies the field distribution to enable plasma formation without causing harmful chemical reactions to polarized molecules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively removes PFAS and other polarized molecules from water and gases by adsorption onto the anode, eliminating the need for chemical reactions and reducing environmental persistence and health risks.

Implementation Method 1

an electrically conductive porous material is an anode and is circumferentially surrounded by a grounded cathode with a fluid flowing therebetween and a polarized molecule (such as PFAS or other molecules) in the fluid is driven toward the anode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a non-uniform electric field is created between the anode and the cathode. A further aspect causes a polarized molecule in a liquid or gaseous fluid to move toward an anode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric polarization: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS12544771B2Electrode apparatus for creating a non-uniform electric field to remove polarized molecules in a fluid

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 FRAUNHOFER USA INC

AI summary

An electrode apparatus and method remove a polarized molecule in a fluid. In another aspect, a non-uniform electric field is created between an anode and a cathode, the fluid flows within a gap between the cathode and the anode, and the polarized molecule is driven by an electrostatic force to and adsorbed on the anode without experiencing a chemical reaction.