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New Tech Eliminates Forever Chemicals From Water In Three Hours

It's not just microplastics contaminating our water and food. There's another dangerous compound we're trying to remove from the environment, the so-called forever chemicals. These are also known as PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

We use PFAS because they resist heat, stains, and water. This is how we can create waterproof clothes, cookware, electronics, and other products.

However, PFAS can end up in landfills and ultimately contaminate water sources. Their increased resistance turns them into dangerous pollutants that can't be broken down easily.

They're risk factors for various conditions, including cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, and other illnesses. That explains the ongoing research to come up with ways that can eliminate forever chemicals from water. We can't do without water so the idea is to trap PFAS before we actually drink it.

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Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) have come up with a catalyst that can both capture and eliminate PFAS. Their concept only needs a few hours to clean water, and it can work even without a steady source of ultraviolet (UV) light.

The researchers created an activated carbon filter containing a patented catalyst. The iron oxide/graphene carbon (Fe/g-C) hybrid photocatalyst can capture PFAS from water and then break them down into harmless components. "The whole process is fairly quick, depending on how much water you're treating," Dr. Johan Foster said in a statement. "We can put huge volumes of water through this catalyst, and it will adsorb the PFAS and destroy it in a quick two-step process. Many existing solutions can only adsorb, while others are designed to destroy the chemicals. Our catalyst system can do both, making it a long-term solution to the PFAS problem instead of just kicking the can down the road." The researchers think their solution is significantly faster than the alternatives. The catalyst would need just three hours to eliminate 90% of forever chemicals from water. "Our catalyst can eliminate up to 90 per cent of forever chemicals in water in as little as three hours—significantly faster than comparable solutions on the market," Foster said. "And because it can be produced from forest or farm waste, it's more economical and sustainable compared to the more complex and costly methods currently in use." The presence of UV light is required for the chemical reactions, but the UBC tech also works in regions where sunlight exposure is inadequate. The researchers were able to remove more than 85% of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) in low-light conditions. PFOA is also a forever chemical. Moreover, the technology UBC researchers developed can be used to remove other types of persistent contaminants from water, not just forever chemicals. The catalyst can be used to treat municipal water systems and industrial projects like waste stream cleanup. This technology is more than a successful research project. The scientists have actually forced a company called ReAct Materials to explore commercial uses of their catalyst. Meanwhile, the full study is available in Communications Engineering.

Georgia State Vs. Georgia Tech Odds, Picks: Back Panthers As Massive Underdogs

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The 2024 college football season got off to a rollicking start when two-score underdog Georgia Tech pulled the outright upset against Florida State in Dublin.

It was a near-perfect performance from the Yellow Jackets, especially since the Seminoles drew first blood with an opening-drive touchdown and two-point conversion.

But rather than get overwhelmed, the Yellow Jackets stabilized and succeeded at getting the game on their terms.

Any big underdog wants to keep the clock moving, and the Ramblin' Wreck did that with a grinding rushing attack that left FSU flat-footed for much of the contest.

Georgia Tech's win turned the picture in the ACC on its head — FSU was the favorite to win the conference — and got tongues wagging about the ceiling of the resurgent Yellow Jackets.

That can mean only one thing: It's already time to fade the hype on Georgia Tech.

Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to like about Georgia Tech. Coach Brent Key has this program well ahead of schedule and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner is considered to be a rising star on the sidelines.

Faulkner has built a fabulous scheme around quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes that turned the Yellow Jackets into one of the most exciting offenses in the country last year, and if last Saturday's college football kickoff was any indication, we can expect big things once again in 2024.

Things are not quite as rosy for Georgia Tech's inner-city rival, Georgia State.

This truly is a Year 0 situation for the Panthers after Shawn Elliott left his post as head coach in the spring, forcing Georgia State to scramble and hire Georgia running backs coach Dell McGee in February.

Georgia State has a new coach in Dell McGee (l). AP

Georgia State will also turn to a new starting quarterback, Zach Gibson, in 2024. Gibson transferred across Atlanta after spending last season with the Yellow Jackets.

While all of this points to a straightforward win for the Yellow Jackets, you have to consider a couple of extenuating circumstances before just laying the wood with the favorite.

Most notably, this is a tricky schedule spot for the Ramblin' Wreck. Not only is it a potential letdown situation after a program-changing win against FSU, but the travel could also catch up to the Yellow Jackets after kicking off their campaign with an 8,000-mile round trip.

Secondly, remember that Georgia Tech had a win total of just five before the season started.

While the offense was expected to be a strength, there are still questions about the defense.

Perhaps what we saw against Florida State was a sign of legitimate improvements, but it's fair to be skeptical after just one game — especially since the Seminoles were clearly not at the races.

This seems like a classic situation where a season-opening win has inflated the price on a team that most punters thought would be mediocre in the coming season.

Add in some travel concerns and the potential that Georgia Tech will take its foot off the gas in the second half to stay fresh ahead of another ACC showdown next weekend, and you have the perfect recipe for our first ugly underdog bet of the new campaign.

Welcome back, college football.

The bet: Georgia State +21 

Auburn's Hugh Freeze Battling Through New Tech

When the Auburn Tigers take to the field this weekend, they will be armed with new communication systems which should make everyone's jobs just a little easier, in theory at least.

Helmet-to-helmet communication was always bound to be embraced by a group of young men who grew up with smartphones and endless social media platforms.

While the Tigers players have predictably hit the ground running, for their 50 something head coach Hugh Freeze, he could look like he's fumbling around in the dark come game time.

"The players seem to be handling it pretty easily," Freeze admitted on Monday. "It's probably me more than anyone. I think I'm talking into it and I'm not because I'm not hitting the right button. I literally feel like I'm wearing one of the police belts. There's just stuff everywhere and you have to hit the right button so it's taken me some adjusting, for sure. The players have been pretty easy."

Ironing out potential gremlins ahead of the opening fixture involved some dry runs of the new systems at the stadium, but Freeze admitted they encountered some very untimely issues during the dress rehearsal. 

"I will say we had a little issue with ours in the stadium Saturday, and I sure hope that's not going to be the case Saturday night," Freeze declared. "They quickly got it fixed, but it was two plays. I hope that's not a recurring problem that you might have. They really couldn't tell me what was wrong with it, but it's taken some getting used to from the coaching standpoint."

Coach Freeze has never hidden his slightly old school approach to incorporating the curveball the NCAA has pitched toward them. That being said, it's never stopped him also stating that he wants to use helmet communications to his advantage in the final analysis.

That's all well and good, but after seeing his defensive coordinator DJ Durkin cutting some Beastie Boys Sabotage type moves with his own retro walkie talkie, it's making Freeze a little bit jealous.

"I think DJ (Durkin) handles it better than I do because he just uses a walkie talkie, but my hands are so full that I'm trying to use all of my buttons. Maybe that's a mistake," Freeze conceded. "I don't know, but I do think there's some benefits to it, for sure."

While the sincere hope is that things will very much be alright on the night, Freeze detailed on Monday exactly where he will be positioning his eyes in the sky and boots on the ground as they go live for Saturday night fever.

"Offensively, (Derrick) Nix, Kent (Austin), Maurice (Harris), (Darren) Hiler. Those four I know are in the box," Freeze pinpointed his hawks up on high. "That means Jesse (Stone) is probably down to communicate with Kent. Jake (Thornton) is down for sure. Marcus (Davis) is down. Ben Algamaua is down. Defensively, DJ is still working on that. DJ will be down, he's just debating on who's best to keep down with him and who should go up."

It's not exactly a dress rehearsal against Alabama A&M on Saturday night, but the game offers an ideal setting to work the bugs out on the field and off before bigger game comes to town.

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