Accession Number:

AD1166826

Title:

Sustainable Harmful Algal Bloom Mitigation by 3D Printed Photocatalytic Oxidation Devices (3D-PODs)

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Technical Note]

Corporate Author:

ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER VICKSBURG MS

Personal Author(s):

• Kennedy, Alan J.
• McQueen, Andrew D.
• Ballentine, Mark L.
• Fernando, Brianna M.
• May, Lauren R.
• Boyda, Jonna A.
• Williams, Christopher B.
• Bortner, Michael J.

Report Date:

2022-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

12

Abstract:

The impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms HAB, often caused by cyanobacteria Figure 1, on water resources are increasing. Innovative solutions for treatment of HABs and their associated toxins are needed to mitigate these impacts and decrease risks without introducing persistent legacy contaminants that cause collateral ecosystem impacts. This technical note TN identifies novel opportunities enabled by Additive Manufacturing AM, or 3D printing, to produce high surface area advanced material composites to rapidly prototype sustainable environmental solutions for aquatic nuisance species control. This innovative research explores deployment of 3D-printable polymer composite structures containing nano-scale photocatalysts for targeted open water treatment of HABs that are customizable to the site-of-concern and also retrievable, reusable, and sustainable. The approach developed to control cyanobacteria HAB events has the potential to augment or replace broadcast, non-specific chemical controls that otherwise put non-target species and ecological resources at long-term risk. It can also augment existing UV-treatment HAB treatment control measures. The expected research outcome is a novel, effective, and sustainable HAB management tool for the US Army Corps of Engineers USACE and resource managers to deploy in their HAB rapid response programs. The research will provide a framework for scale-up into other manufacturing methods e.g., injection molding to produce the devices in bulk quickly and efficiently. Research for this project title Mitigation of Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins using 3D Printed Photocatalytic Materials FY21-23 was sponsored by the US Army Engineer Research Development Centers ERDC Aquatic Nuisance Species Research Program ANSRP.

Descriptors:

• materials science
• chemistry
• environmental protection
• chemical synthesis
• fish
• materials processing
• additive manufacturing
• materials laboratories
• composite materials
• ecology
• manufacturing
• cyanobacteria
• ecotoxicology
• polystyrenes
• aromatic hydrocarbons
• chemical engineering
• environmental pollution

Subject Categories:

• Printing and Graphic Arts
• Organic Chemistry
• ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]