This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals known for their exceptional resistance to degradation, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals." These persistent substances can accumulate in water, soil and living organisms, raising concerns about their potential impacts on human health and the environment. Detecting PFAS contamination is a critical first step toward addressing these risks.
However, conventional PFAS analysis typically requires collecting environmental samples and transporting them to specialized laboratories equipped with advanced mass spectrometry instruments. Although highly sensitive and accurate, these methods can be costly and time-consuming. Researchers from the Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have created a reliable, easy-to-mass-produce platform that enables regulators and other environmental actors to detect PFAS on the spot without the need for an external lab.
"Our goal is to develop a sensitive, low-cost technology that can eventually be used outside specialized laboratories," says Dr. "We have demonstrated that it works for PFOA and PFOS, and the same platform could potentially be adapted to detect other PFAS compounds." The new device is described in Biosensors and Bioelectronics. The researchers have designed a new class of molecularly imprinted polymers, or MIPs, that are tailored to fit PFAS.
The materials are formed around the target molecule—in this case, PFAS—creating a binding site. The target molecule is then washed away, leaving behind a material that recognizes and captures the target again, like a lock that is shaped for a key. This is also why MIPs are often called 'synthetic antibodies.' Their device detects PFAS by measuring changes in electrical current as target molecules bind to a sensor coated with PFAS-specific MIPs.
The greater the change in electrical current, the higher the PFAS concentration is in the water sample. Because the measurement requires no additional chemical reagents, this approach could provide a simpler, lower-cost solution for portable, onsite water monitoring. The platform is compact, low-cost and designed for easy manufacturing.
For the prototype, the researchers screen-printed 100 disposable electrodes onto repurposed fabric in a few hours. These were then coated with PFAS-specific MIPs and connected to commercially available potentiostats, which measure electrical signals and can plug directly into a smartphone or laptop. Furthermore, the MIP manufacturing method is modular, meaning the target molecule can be replaced with any member of the PFAS family; for this prototype, the researchers chose the two most common PFAS chemicals with documented health risks: PFOS and PFOA.
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