Research

We aim to apply chemistry principles to design advanced techniques and strategies for sustainable protection and improvement of water quality

 

Current Projects

Development of filter media to remove the overlooked nano-particulate lead from drinking water. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2023), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM), Xiaoli Ma (Co-PI, UWM)

Development of positively charged nanofiltration membranes for water softening. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2023), team: Xiaoli Ma (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM)

Novel Iron-Based Electrocoagulation-Peroxidation Treatment Process for Removal of PFAS (Phase III). NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2023), team: Patrick McNamara (PI, Marquette University), Brooke Mayer (Co-PI, Marquette University), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM).

Elucidating the role of dissolved organic matter in regulating the sorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by engineered adsorbents. UWM Discovery and Innovation Grant (2022 – 2023), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Laodong Guo (Co-PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM)

The use of pore-scale contaminant transport simulation framework to facilitate the development of next generation water filters. University of Wisconsin System Ignite Grant (2022 – 2023), team: Shangping Xu (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM), Xiaoli Ma (Co-PI, UWM)

Initial estimation of PFAS flux to Lake Michigan through the quantitative understanding of PFAS contamination within Wisconsin’s connected aquifers. NOAA Wisconsin Sea Grant (2022 – 2024), team: Shangping Xu (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM), David Hart (Co-PI, UW-Madison)

High-flux nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes based on microporous covalent organic frameworks. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2022 – 2023), team: Xiaoli Ma (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM)

Impact of injectable particulate carbon on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) transport in groundwater. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (2021 – 2023), team: Shangping Xu (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM)

Development of novel nanofiltration membranes based on multilayered covalent organic frameworks for desalination. DOI Desalination and Water Purification Research Program (2021 – 2023), team: Xiaoli Ma (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM)

Collaborative Research: Mitigating antibiotic resistance in drinking water by understanding the impact of corrosion inhibitors and corrosion products. NSF Environmental Engineering Program (2020 – 2023), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Patrick McNamara (PI, Marquette University), Ryan Newton (key personnel, UWM)

Collaborative Research: Bioinspired catalysts with earth-abundant metals for reductive treatment of waterborne pollutants. NSF Environmental Engineering Program (2020 – 2023), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Jinyong Liu(PI, UC-Riverside), Danmeng Shuai (PI, George Washington University).

Development of a novel PFAS passive sampler with efficient sorbent media and robust   membrane barrier. DoD Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (2020-2023), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Xiaoli Ma (Co-PI, UWM), Feng Xiao (Co-PI, University of North Dakota).

Treatment of legacy and emerging fluoroalkyl contaminants in groundwater with integrated approaches: rapid and regenerable adsorption and UV-induced defluorination. DoD Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (2018 – 2023), team: Jinyong Liu (PI, UC-Riverside), Yin Wang (PI of UWM subcontract), Bryon Wang (Co-PI, UC-Riverside)

 

Completed Projects

Porous organic framework modified with TiO2 for the removal and destruction of PFAS. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2022), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Xiaoli Ma (Co-PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM)

Novel iron-based electrocoagulation-peroxidation treatment process for removal of PFAS: Phase II. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2022), team: Brooke Mayer (PI, Marquette University), Patrick McNamara (Co-PI, Marquette University), Yin Wang (PI of UWM subcontract), Laodong Guo (Co-PI, UWM)

Investigation of PFAS adsorption by selected Wisconsin aquifer sediments. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (2020 – 2022), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM).

The development of novel algal reactor for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water. UWM Research Foundation Catalyst Grant Program (2021 – 2022), team: Shangping Xu (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM), Erica Young (Co-PI, UWM)

Novel iron-based electrocoagulation-peroxidation treatment process for removal of PFAS. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2021-2022), team: Patrick McNamara (PI, Marquette University), Brooke Mayer (Co-PI, Marquette University), Yin Wang (PI of UWM subcontract)

Nitrogen-enriched covalent organic framework for treatment of PFAS. UWM Research Foundation Catalyst Grant Program (2020 – 2021), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Xiaoli Ma (Co-PI, UWM)

Graphene-based nanosensor device for rapid, onsite detection of total lead in tap water: phase II. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2019-2021), team: Ganhua Lu (PI, NanoAffix Science), Yin Wang (PI of UWM subcontract)

Functionalized layered double hydroxide adsorbents for the removal of PFAS: phases I & II. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2019-2021), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM)

Development of tailored adsorbents for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. University of Wisconsin Applied Research Grant (2019-2020), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM)

Development of a predictive modeling of U.S. drinking water emergencies. Water Quality Research Foundation (2019-2020), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Junhong Chen (Co-PI, U of Chicago)

Assessment of pesticide contamination in suburban drinking water wells in Southeast Wisconsin. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (2018-2020), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM)

Dynamics and speciation of arsenic in Wisconsin private drinking water wells. University of Wisconsin System via Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council (2018-2020), team: Shangping Xu (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM)

Development of improved zero valent iron nanoparticles for environmental remediation using fractioned humic substances. UWM Research Growth Initiative Award (2018-2020), team: Shangping Xu (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM)

Modified ceramic adsorbents for the removal of arsenic, selenium and virus: phases I &II. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2018-2019), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM)

STTR phase I: Graphene-based nanosensor device for rapid, onsite detection of dissolved lead in tap water. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2017-2019), team: Ganhua Lu (PI, NanoAffix Science), Yin Wang (PI of UWM subcontract), Junhong Chen (Co-PI, UWM)

Development of modified iron oxide adsorbents for removal of hexavalent chromium from water. UWM Research Growth Initiative Award (2017-2018), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM)

Removal of As(III) using Mn-containing ceramic water filtration materials. UWM Research Foundation Catalyst Grant (2017-2018), team: Shangping Xu (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM)

Development of ceramic-based water filtration materials for the removal of arsenic and virus. University of Wisconsin Applied Research Grant (2016-2017), team: Shangping Xu (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM)

Phosphate-free inorganic inhibitors for water supplies to mitigate lead release and corrosion. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2016-2017), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM)

Improved design of silica-based adsorbents for water purification application. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2016), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM)

Development of a hybrid nanoadsorbent for removal of multi-pollutants in water. NSF I/UCRC Water Equipment and Policy Center (2015), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM)