Amorphous material science for safer drinking water
Amorphous materials offer a higher density of active sorption sites, making them inherently more efficient than their crystalline counterparts for water treatment applications. At AmorpH2O LLC, we translate cutting-edge amorphous metal (hydr)oxide science into practical filtration media and technologies. By impregnating these materials into point-of-use carbon block filters and other filtration platforms, we enable the removal of arsenic and other oxyanions, metals (such as lead and copper), and organic pollutants (including PFAS) from drinking water.
Is your drinking water really safe?
Groundwater serves as the primary source of drinking water for billions of people worldwide. In many regions, arsenic—a carcinogenic oxyanion—naturally occurs in groundwater. Although arsenic is regulated and municipalities strive to maintain concentrations below permissible limits, research has shown that there is no truly safe level of arsenic in drinking water. Moreover, arsenic often coexists with other contaminants in groundwater, compounding the associated health risks. The situation is particularly concerning for sensitive populations such as pregnant women and infants, as even prenatal exposure to low arsenic concentrations has been linked to various cancers and neurocognitive disorders later in life.
Additionally, unforeseen incidents in centralized water treatment and distribution systems, such as those caused by aging infrastructure and pipelines, as seen in Flint, Michigan, can lead to the unintended presence of toxic metals like lead in drinking water. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop and implement additional water treatment barriers at the tap (point-of-use) to minimize exposure to these toxic compounds and metal mixtures.
Global arsenic regulations
Although the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic in drinking water is typically 10 µg/L, several states and countries have adopted lower guideline or voluntary levels. The maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) set by the U.S. EPA is 0 µg/L, underscoring how dangerous arsenic exposure can be, even at concentrations below existing regulations. In other words, there is no truly safe level of arsenic in drinking water.
The table below summarizes arsenic regulations across different countries and agencies. You can also click the links here to view detailed information from the U.S. EPA, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and Columbia University, including maps showing arsenic occurrence across the United States.
AmorpH2O solution
We harness the unique properties and capabilities of amorphous metal (hydr)oxides to address this critical water pollution challenge. Our approach involves the in-situ synthesis of amorphous metal (hydr)oxides within the filter media, enabling the effective removal of arsenic, other oxyanions, and metals.
Through a proprietary impregnation process, we can modify any type of activated carbon or prefabricated carbon block filter (i.e., the most common component of point-of-use systems). While conventional activated carbon and carbon block filters primarily remove organic contaminants, our nano-enabled media simultaneously eliminates arsenic, other toxic oxyanions, hazardous metals, and organic pollutants within a single module.
The in-situ modification method allows our technology to be integrated into any type or shape of filter module, from under-the-sink filters, to refrigrator filters, pitchers, bottles, and types of portable filters. Our technology can be deployed anywhere across the globe, regardless of infrastructure or community size, which is a significant contribution to the health justice. The benefits and advantages of our technology in competition with other competing technologies make our innovation a reliable and cutting-edge solution.