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

 

Current Projects

Mitigating PFAS contamination of groundwater: biochar sequestration of PFAS in biosolid leachate at the field scale. Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin (2023 – 2025), team: Kpoti Gunn (PI, UW-Green Bay), Michael Holly (Co-PI, UW-Green Bay), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM)

Development of a collaborative undergraduate research experience to improve per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) adsorption in nanoporous solids. Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin (2023 – 2026), team: Joseph Mondloch (PI, UW-Stevens Point), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM)

Engaging undergraduate students in cutting-edge research on the use of earth materials for the removal of contaminants including per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin (2023 – 2025), team: Zhaohui Li (PI, UW-Parkside), Lori Allen (Co-PI, UW-Parkside), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM)

An experimental investigation on the leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated soil. University of Wisconsin System via Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council (2023 – 2025), team: Shangping Xu (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM), Erin Berns-Herrboldt (Co-PI, UW-Green Bay)

The development of novel biotreatment techniques for per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) using microbial isolates from a heavily contaminated site. University of Wisconsin System Ignite Grant (2023 – 2024), team: Shangping Xu (PI, UWM), Sonia Bardy (Co-PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM), Xiaoli Ma (Co-PI, UWM)

Lithium extraction from brine using metal-doped layered double hydroxide adsorbent in combination with membrane filtration. UWM Research Foundation Catalyst Grant Program (2023 – 2024), 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 – 2024), team: Xiaoli Ma (PI, UWM), Yin Wang (Co-PI, UWM), Shangping Xu (Co-PI, UWM)

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)

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)

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)

Development of novel nanofiltration membranes based on multilayered covalent organic frameworks for desalination. DOI Desalination and Water Purification Research Program (2021 – 2024), 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 – 2024), 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 – 2024), team: Yin Wang (PI, UWM), Jinyong Liu(PI, UC-Riverside), Danmeng Shuai (PI, George Washington University).

 

Completed Projects

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)