Aerosonic

Aerosonic

We are pleased to announce that AeroSonic, a research project proposal developed by our laboratory, has been awarded funding by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the 2024 Call for Exploratory Research Projects (PEX).

The final results of this call were recently announced by FCT, representing a national investment of approximately €24 million, supported through the FCT budget. In total, 400 exploratory research projects across all scientific fields were selected for funding, each with a duration of 18 months and a maximum funding amount of €60,000 per project, reflecting a significant reinforcement of support for innovative, high-impact research.

Tackling Microplastic Pollution in Wastewater

Although environmental sustainability has become a strategic priority worldwide, practical and scalable solutions remain limited. The textile industry is a major contributor to global pollution, accounting for nearly 20% of global wastewater production and approximately 9% of annual microplastic emissions to the oceans. Microplastics pose serious risks to ecosystems and human health by spreading through water bodies and the atmosphere, binding to chemical pollutants, and accumulating along the food chain.

Current wastewater treatment technologies, such as pressure-driven membranes, coagulation, flocculation, and biodegradation, are often constrained by high energy consumption, limited efficiency, and scalability challenges.

The AeroSonic Approach

AeroSonic proposes an innovative hybrid solution that combines cellulose-derived aerogels with ultrasound-based particle manipulation (acoustophoresis) to enhance microplastic removal from wastewater. Cellulose aerogels offer high porosity and large surface area, making them highly effective adsorption materials, while ultrasonic fields enable precise control of particle trajectories, improving collision and contact time between aerogels and microplastics.

A key innovation of the project is the use of cellulose extracted from invasive seaweed species along the Portuguese coast, transforming a marine pollutant into a value-added, sustainable material.

Overall, the project aims to:

1. Develop a hybrid wastewater treatment system integrating acoustophoresis and seaweed-derived cellulose aerogels;
2. Create a computational model to simulate acoustic fields, particle aggregation, and microplastic transport;
3. Fabricate cellulose aerogels from invasive seaweed species;
4. Validate the system experimentally using artificial wastewater and textile industry effluents.

By integrating nature-based solutions with advanced ultrasound engineering, AeroSonic represents a significant advancement in wastewater treatment technology. The project has the potential to deliver a scalable, energy-efficient, and sustainable solution for microplastic removal, aligned with EU environmental priorities and global sustainability goals.