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Finally, I have time to settle down and write this up to appreciate the privilege to host the 2026 International Conference on Nanobubbles, Nanodroplets, and Their Applications (Nanobubble 2026) at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), August 19–21, 2026. This was the 7th meeting in the international Nanobubble Conference series and the first time the conference was held in the United States, following previous meetings in France, China, Australia, Germany, and Japan.

We were delighted to welcome more than 140 participants representing 70+ universities, research institutions, companies, and organizations from 17 countries and regions (https://nanobubble2026.com/dynamic-conference-moments/). The scientific program included more than 80 plenary, oral, and industry presentations and approximately 20 posters, spanning nanobubble formation and stability, interfacial science, measurement and characterization, water and wastewater treatment, agriculture, environmental remediation, electrochemistry, carbon capture, energy, biomedical applications, and industrial scale-up.

I am deeply grateful to my conference co-chairs, our domestic and international scientific committees, plenary and invited speakers (Prof. Richard Zare, Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari, DPhil, DSc, FIAAM, Neelkanth Nirmalkar, Yoshikatsu Ueda, Niall English, Susana Kimura Hara, Pan Li, Takehiko SATO, Samir Khanal, Onur G. Apul, James C. (Jim) Earthman, Ing-Shouh Hwang, Sergi Garcia-Segura, Tao Lyu and Jianbing Li), session moderators, presenters, sponsors, exhibitors, staff, student volunteers, and every attendee who traveled from near and far to participate. We were also honored to receive opening remarks from NJIT Interim President Dr. John Pelesko A. Pelesko and Interim Provost Dr. Moshe Kam, whose support made this international gathering especially meaningful.

Another important development surrounding this year’s conference was the establishment of the North American Ultrafine Bubble Association (NAUFBA). Founded in 2026 by stakeholders in the U.S. nanobubble industry who are also involved in ISO/TC 281, NAUFBA aims to promote healthy market development and greater awareness of ultrafine-bubble generation, characterization, and applications. The founding NAUFBA Board of Directors includes: Yuhong Jiang, Pure NanoTech — President, Ragy Ragheb, Malvern Panalytical — Treasurer Seth R. Connell, Nanu Water Tech — Secretary, Sohail Akhter, Moleaer, Julie Y. C., HORIBA, michael radicone, I2 Air Fluid Innovation, Claire Schmit, Messer-US and myself. I am pleased that NJIT is one of the organizations represented on this founding board, and I look forward to working with colleagues across academia and industry to help advance scientifically sound and sustainable development of ultrafine-bubble technologies in North America.

Professor Wen Zhang, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Environmental Chemistry Engagement and Impact Award by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Environmental Chemistry (ENVR). 

The award recognizes individuals or teams who demonstrate exceptional leadership, creativity, and impact in advancing engagement in environmental chemistry and engineering. It particularly recognizes efforts that connect research, education, and community partnerships to address pressing environmental challenges and broaden societal understanding of environmental chemistry.  

His nomination highlighted nearly two decades of involvement with ACS ENVR, including service on the ENVR Services Committee and the organization and co-chairing of symposia at ACS National Meetings on nanobubbles, innovative materials and technologies for water purification, environmental sustainability, and the water–energy nexus.  

A major focus of Zhang’s research has been the development of nanobubble-enabled technologies for water remediation, resource recovery, and sustainable agriculture. His research has investigated the fundamental interfacial chemistry of nanobubbles—including their stability, reactivity, and radical-generation mechanisms—and translated these principles into practical environmental and agricultural technologies.  

One example highlighted in the award nomination is Zhang’s development of a mobile air-flotation and micro/nanobubble platform for mitigating harmful algal blooms (HABs). The technology has been demonstrated at several New Jersey lakes, including Branch Brook Park Lake, Cozy Lake, and Deal Lake, using fine bubbles and flotation to mechanically separate algal biomass while improving water oxygenation without relying on conventional chemical algicides.  

The real-world impact of this work was emphasized by the Deal Lake Commission, which described the NJIT team’s 2022 demonstration at Deal Lake. According to the Commission’s testimonial, the system removed visible algal scum through air-induced flotation and surface skimming while improving water transparency and oxygenation, demonstrating the potential of a sustainable, non-chemical approach to lake restoration.  

Equally important to the recognition has been Zhang’s commitment to bringing environmental chemistry beyond the laboratory. Working with Jersey Cares, NJDEP, local lake organizations, students, volunteers, and community partners, Zhang and his team have organized field demonstrations, workshops, and outreach activities that introduce students and residents to water-quality monitoring, nutrient pollution, harmful algal blooms, nanobubble science, and sustainable lake management. The nomination package reports that five regional outreach events and workshops engaged more than 500 residents and students.  

Jersey Cares specifically highlighted the team’s hands-on outdoor workshops at Branch Brook Park, where high-school and college students participated in water testing, field demonstrations, and discussions of sustainable lake management. The organization also noted Zhang’s role in convening a 2022 regional HAB mitigation and water sustainability workshop that brought together more than 100 participants from academia, government agencies, and industry.  

The award also recognizes the broader translation of Zhang’s research into practice. His work has involved partnerships among universities, government agencies, communities, and industry and has contributed to entrepreneurial efforts aimed at moving environmental technologies from laboratory research toward practical applications in water treatment, food safety, agriculture, and environmental restoration. 

From June 1 to 5, 2026, the 20th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies (LET 2026) was held at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Organized by the International Water Association (IWA), the Leading Edge Conference is one of the field’s most prestigious gatherings, bringing together leading researchers, consultants, and utility practitioners from around the world to showcase the “best of the best” in water and wastewater technology. This year’s meeting, themed “Resilient Water in a Changing World,” centered on bold, forward-looking solutions for strengthening the resilience of urban water systems.

Jiahe Zhang, a PhD student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and a member of Prof. Wen Zhang’s group, attended the conference and shared his latest research through both a poster and presentation in the conference’s Wastewater Track (Session 8, “Advanced Solids and Wastewater Management for Energy-Neutral Treatment Plants”), a session chaired by Richard Lancaster (UK) and Ajie Wang (China). His work, titled “Membrane-Free Electrosynthesis of Ammonia and Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) from Waste Streams” (Jiahe Zhang, Jianan Gao, and Wen Zhang*), presents a membrane-free electrochemical system that pairs a hydrogen-evolution cathode with an oxygen-evolution anode to simultaneously recover ammonia (NH₃) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from waste streams such as anaerobic digestate, without ion-exchange membranes or chemical dosing of the feed.

The session drew an international lineup of researchers and practitioners, and after the poster pitch the presenters and session chairs gathered on stage for a group photo, with the Houston skyline framing the backdrop. Sharing the stage with colleagues from across the United States, Europe, and Asia captured the collaborative, global spirit of the Leading Edge Conference, where new ideas in resource recovery and energy-neutral treatment are exchanged freely across institutions and borders.

Beyond the technical program, Houston itself offered plenty to take in. There was time to savor the city’s legendary Texas barbecue and to visit Space Center Houston, home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center and its historic Mission Control, a reminder of the bold engineering ambition the city is known for. A fitting piece of history was close at hand. The conference took place at Rice University, the very campus where, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered his celebrated address on the race to the Moon at Rice Stadium: “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” Standing on that campus, those words felt strikingly relevant to the challenges the conference set out to tackle. The hardest problems in sustainable water and resource recovery are worth pursuing precisely because they are hard, and it is a privilege to work on them. This research was supported by the NSF/BSF project (award no. 2215387), the 2024 NJIT Technology Innovation Translation and Acceleration (TITA) Seed Grant Program, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Desalination and Water Purification Research Program (DWPR, Agreement No. R26AC00030).

Dr. Nguyen Nhat Thu Le from Dr. Wen Zhang group at NJIT recently attended the Gordon Research Seminar and Gordon Research Conference on Nanoscale Science and Engineering for Agriculture and Food Systems from June 28 to July 2 at the Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH. The 2-day Seminar and 5-day Conference are prestigious scientific meetings where young academics, prominent professors, and government scientists gather to exchange new ideas and unpublished findings related to cutting-edge technologies in agriculture and food systems. Topics covered include transport and fate of nano- and microplastics in food products, nanocarriers for efficient agrochemical delivery, nano-enabled sensing technologies, biology-inspired nanomaterials, sustainable and climate-resilient food production and handling methods, and advanced automation systems.

Dr. Le was invited to present a talk at the Gordon Research Seminar titled “Soil and Rhizosphere Microbiome Modulation Through Irrigation with Nanobubble Water”. She also presented a poster from the same project at the main Gordon Research Conference. Among emerging nanoscale technologies for plant enhancement, nanobubble have unique advantages since it can simultaneously influence soil physicochemical properties, microbiome structure and activity, as well as plant responses while leaving no chemical residues. The talk and poster sparked many exciting discussions on the potential synergies between nanobubble and other nanoscale agricultural interventions such as cellulose nanofiber and mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

Her research is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Institute of Food and Agriculture AFRI project grants [2019-67021-29450 and 2024-67021-42716].

The 2026 CTR Workshop on Translational Research and Technology Innovations for PFAS Decontaminations, held at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) on April 24, brought together nearly 300 leaders and researchers from industry, academia, government, utilities, and community organizations for a full-day exchange focused on one of today’s most pressing environmental and public health challenges: PFAS contamination. Hosted by the NJIT Center for Translational Research with support from the National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation (ART) Program and the National Academy of Inventors – NJIT Chapter, the workshop highlighted advances in PFAS detection, monitoring, remediation, policy strategies, and technology translation. The event created an important platform for stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, and collaboration toward practical solutions for PFAS decontamination. Dr. Wen Zhang’s research group at NJIT had a strong presence at the workshop through student participation (poster and product demonstrations).

From left to right: Jiahe Zhang, Guangyu Zhu, Haodong Jia, Dr. Wen Zhang, Sowmya Atukuri, and Yining Zhang. The group showcased NF/RO membrane modules, membrane materials, and a bubbling-column demonstration to explain surfactant-assisted foam generation and PFAS removal mechanisms.

The 2026 Infrastructure Forum, held at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) on April 22, brought together industry leaders, professional practice stakeholders, faculty, and students for a full-day exchange of ideas focused on infrastructure innovation, applied research, and workforce development. The forum provided an important platform for academia and industry to share technological advances, identify mutually beneficial opportunities, and strengthen partnerships that support both research translation and student professional development. By connecting NJIT’s research community with external partners, the event highlighted the university’s role in advancing practical, scalable solutions for infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and emerging engineering challenges.

Dr. Wen Zhang’s research group at NJIT had a strong presence at the forum through two exhibition tables: Advanced Materials and Processes for Resource Recovery and Pollution Mitigation and Nanobubble Research and Applications. These exhibits showcased the group’s ongoing work in microwave-catalysis, electrochemical systems, membrane-based processes, nanobubble technologies, and their applications in environmental remediation, resource recovery, water treatment, air purification, and agriculture. The displays also highlighted the group’s translational efforts toward commercialization, including participation from commercial partners such as PureNanoTech Inc.

Left: Dr. Wen Zhang with his nanobubble research team. Right: Dr. Wen Zhang with the Resource Recovery and Pollution Mitigation team, joined by Dr. Taha Marhaba, Distinguished Professor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The Membrane Applications Science and Technology (MAST) Center Spring 2026 Industrial Advisory Board Meeting, held at the New Jersey Institute of Technology from April 12–14, brought together faculty, graduate researchers, industry sponsors, and guests for a dynamic exchange of ideas in membrane science and engineering. As a National Science Foundation Industry–University Cooperative Research Center, MAST supports collaborative research, graduate education, and technology transfer across its university sites and industry network. The banquet session served as a key highlight of the meeting, creating space for networking, sponsor engagement, faculty presentations, and student poster interactions in a more informal setting. Together with the broader meeting program, the event showcased the MAST Center’s role in advancing innovative membrane research while strengthening ties between academia and industry.

A total of 5 PhD students and Postdocs from Dr. Wen Zhang’s research group at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) presented seven posters during the poster session at the MAST banquet. Their work covered a broad range of topics, including membrane distillation, rinse-free molecular layer-by-layer membranes, ammonia recovery, membrane and materials characterization, air purification, and Multiphysics simulation for water treatment.

From top left (clockwise): Jiahe Zhang, Haodong Jia, Jing-An Lin, Guangyu Zhu, and Samarpan Deb Majumder

The AEESP Distinguished Lecture at New York University Tandon, held on April 10, featured Dr. David L. Sedlak, Plato Malozemoff Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Berkeley Water Center at the University of California, Berkeley. The lecture, titled “Using Nature-Based Treatment to Solve Some of the World’s Water Crises,” explored how nature-based treatment systems can complement conventional water infrastructure by leveraging physical, chemical, and biological processes to improve water quality. The event provided a platform for students, researchers, and industry professionals to engage with cutting-edge developments in sustainable water treatment, highlighting innovative approaches to address global water challenges through decentralized and nature-inspired solutions.

Dr. Wen Zhang and his students with Dr. David Sedlak

All PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from Dr. Wen Zhang’s research group at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) presented posters during the poster session at the AEESP Distinguished Lecture. Their work spanned membrane science, nanobubble technologies, and resource recovery, contributing to discussions on innovative solutions for global water challenges.

From the top left (clockwise): Yining Zhang, Dr. Thu Le, Atukuri Sowmya, Haodong Jia, Jiahe Zhang, Dr. Jing-An Lin, Guangyu Zhu, Samarpan Deb Majumder

In a separate session, Dr. Wen Zhang delivered a lightning talk highlighting the research activities of his group at NJIT. He outlined ongoing work in environmental nanotechnology and membrane-based systems, including nanobubble-enabled processes, reactive membrane filtration, and advanced treatment strategies for pollutant removal and resource recovery.

Dr. Zhang delivering his lightning talk

The Dana Knox Student Research Showcase at the New Jersey Institute of Technology was held on April 8 and highlighted the innovative research conducted by undergraduate and graduate students across multiple disciplines. The showcase provided a platform for students to present their work through poster sessions, engage with faculty, industry professionals, and advisory board members, and demonstrate the impact of their research on real-world challenges.

A total of six students from Dr. Wen Zhang’s research group at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) presented posters at the Dana Knox Student Research Showcase held on April 8. Their work spanned membrane science, nanobubble technologies, and resource recovery. Notably, one student, Yining Zhang, was selected as a finalist in the competition, highlighting the strength and impact of the group’s research contributions.

From top left (clockwise): Yining Zhang, Sowmya Atukuri, Jiahe Zhang, Haodong Jia, Guangyu Zhu, and Samarpan Deb Majumder

Yining Zhang (Finalist) presented “Nanobubble-Enriched Hydrogels for Sustainable Agriculture: Enhancing Water and Nutrient Delivery to Boost Plant Growth.” The work demonstrated how nanobubble-infused hydrogels improve water retention, nutrient delivery, and overall plant growth performance.

Sowmya Atukuri presented “Electric-Field-Driven Interfacial Dynamics, Coalescence Behavior, and Deposition of Oil Droplets in Water Treatment.” The work explored electrocoalescence mechanisms to enhance oil–water separation processes.

Jiahe Zhang presented “Ammonia Recovery from Wastewater Using Integrated Tunable Electrochemical Systems.” The study demonstrated an electrochemical approach for efficient nitrogen recovery, enabling sustainable ammonia production from wastewater streams.

Haodong Jia presented “Oxygen Vacancy-Rich Copper-Based Layered Catalysts for Efficient Phenolic Pollutant Degradation via Peroxymonosulfate Activation under High Salinity.” The work investigated catalytic degradation pathways for refractory organic pollutants in saline wastewater.

Guangyu Zhu presented “Omniphobic Membrane for High Efficiency Induction-Assisted Membrane Distillation.” The study focused on developing omniphobic membrane surfaces to mitigate wetting and improve performance in membrane distillation systems.

Samarpan Deb Majumder presented “Advancing Rinse-Free Molecular Layer-by-Layer (mLbL) Membranes: Scalable Fabrication with Enhanced Fouling Resistance, Scaling Resistance, and Boron Selectivity.” The study demonstrated scalable fabrication of high-performance RO membranes with improved selectivity and resistance to fouling and scaling.

We’re excited to share that our latest work, “Soil chemistry and microbiome modulation through water irrigation containing oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide nanobubbles”, has been published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology!

‍🔬 First author: Dr. Nguyen Nhat Thu Le
‍🏫 Corresponding author: Dr. Wen Zhang
🔗 https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.02173-25

In this study, we systematically evaluated how irrigation with nanobubble-enriched water influences soil chemistry and microbial communities over time. Soils were treated with water containing oxygen, hydrogen, or carbon dioxide nanobubbles over a four-week period, with weekly sampling for microbial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and community analysis. The results show that nanobubbles with different gas cores created distinct soil microenvironments by altering key parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and redox potential, which in turn drove divergent microbial responses. Notably, soils treated with oxygen and hydrogen nanobubbles exhibited enrichment of microbial taxa associated with nutrient cycling, organic matter turnover, and pathogen suppression, including Flavobacteriaceae, Comamonadaceae, Nannocystaceae, and Blastocatellaceae. These compositional shifts were accompanied by increases in metabolic pathways linked to pollutant degradation and organic substrate utilization. In contrast, carbon dioxide nanobubbles produced more limited effects on soil microbial structure. Network analysis further underscored the role of nanobubbles in strengthening keystone taxa such as Flavobacteriaceae, which are central to soil ecosystem function. Together, these findings highlight nanobubble irrigation as a promising and scalable strategy for targeted microbiome engineering, with potential applications in sustainable agriculture and environmental management.

This work was partially supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture AFRI project grants (2019-67021-29450 and 2024-67021-42716).