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The NJIT Wen Zhang’s research group participated in the 2025 Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS), held November 17–19 in Plainsboro, New Jersey, presenting three posters that showcased the group’s latest analytical innovations for emerging environmental contaminants.

Sowmya Atukuri presented a study on nanobubble characterization using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), demonstrating improved size and concentration calibration across aqueous and organic matrices.

Posters:

Nanobubble Characterization using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)

This poster presents improved analytical strategies for accurately measuring nanobubble size and concentration in complex liquid systems. Using NTA and DLS, the work establishes calibration curves with 100 nm and 200 nm polystyrene standards across both aqueous and organic media. The study demonstrates reliable particle size distribution, zeta potential measurements, and concentration quantification, highlighting how liquid matrices influence stability and detection sensitivity. These findings contribute to advancing nanobubble research in environmental and biochemical applications by improving measurement reproducibility and QA/QC reliability.

Raman-Based Identification and Quantification of Microplastics in Food and Agricultural Wastes

This poster introduces a validated Raman spectroscopy workflow for detecting and quantifying microplastics in a wide range of food and agricultural waste matrices. The method integrates sample digestion, density separation, membrane filtration, and spectral micro-mapping to identify polymer types and particle distributions. Results from 53 representative waste samples reveal polymer composition trends, matrix influences, and particle abundance ranges. The workflow demonstrates robustness, spectral reliability, and cost-effective scalability, supporting large-scale environmental monitoring and improving understanding of microplastic contamination in complex waste streams.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Food Waste: Detection and Cost Analysis

This poster reports new findings on the occurrence and distribution of PFAS in food waste from restaurants, schools, landfills, and commercial fish fillets. Using EPA Method 1633 and LC-QQQ quantification, the study identifies 25 PFAS compounds and highlights bioaccumulation risks in fish tissue. The work also evaluates the cost of PFAS detection workflows (USD 500–1300 per sample), providing insight into practical monitoring requirements. By integrating PFAS extraction, cleanup, and advanced analytics, this research supports sustainable waste management and informs regulatory and community-based monitoring strategies.

Together, these three poster contributions underscore the group’s ongoing commitment to advancing analytical methodologies for complex environmental systems. By integrating cutting-edge characterization tools with real-world applications, the Wen Zhang Research Group continues to expand its impact in contaminant detection, environmental monitoring, and sustainable waste management. We look forward to further collaborations, conference engagements, and research advancements in the coming year.

ISO TC281 committee chair, Dr. Nobuhiro Aya, visited the NJIT campus and toured our laboratory to discuss planning logistics for the 2026 International Nanobubble Conference and the accompanying ISO committee meeting to be held at NJIT.

During the visit, Dr. Aya met with our research team, reviewed ongoing projects, and examined several poster presentations showcasing recent advances in nanobubble and nanodroplet science. The tour provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and ensure smooth coordination between the conference organizers and ISO leadership.

We are proud to share that Oluwanifemi Fuwa, an undergraduate researcher at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), presented her cutting-edge work on airborne virus inactivation at the 2025 NCHC Annual Conference, themed “Charting Partnerships and Collaborations to Inspire Honors” in San Diego, CA, November 6–9, 2025.

The research—supported by funding from NSF, NJDEP, NJEDA, and the NJIT Technology Innovation Translation and Acceleration (TITA) Seed Grant—demonstrated significant enhancements in virus removal through catalytic heating and nanobubble formation.

🙌 Special thanks to the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) for hosting this enriching platform and to mentors and collaborators for their continued support.

Attached is our full conference poster for those interested in technical details and potential applications.

📬 For research collaboration or pilot testing opportunities, feel free to reach out to wen.zhang@njit.edu.

We’re excited to share that our viewpoint article, “Reframing Induction-Heated Membrane Distillation: From Flux Enhancement to Durable, Energy-Efficient Design,” has been published in ACS ES&T Engineering.

Link to the paper:  https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsestengg.5c00937

Induction-heated membrane distillation (IH-MD), a rapidly developing interfacial-heating desalination approach that couples electromagnetic fields with magnetically responsive coatings to deliver localized heat at the membrane interface, can significantly boost vapor generation. However, its long-term viability has been limited by material instability under hypersaline and oxidative conditions, as well as inconsistent methods for quantifying how much power reaches the membrane surface. Our study synthesizes these material and durability challenges and introduces a unified energy-accounting framework that distinguishes power delivery from power utilization. By incorporating a delivered-power coefficient (κ) together with thermal efficiency (TE), this framework improves transparency in comparing IH-MD performance across different materials, chemistries, and system designs. We also highlight the need for standardized reporting—covering delivered/coupled power, heated area, time-averaged flux, and durability testing to support reproducible progress and guide the development of IH-MD systems.
The work is supported by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Grant R22AC00433).

November 13, 2025 — Fieldsboro, NJ

Dr. Zhang delivered a featured talk on “Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Lakes using Sustainable Mechanical Separation Approaches.” His presentation highlighted the innovative use of micro-nanobubble-enhanced air flotation boats and ecological aeration technologies to control algal growth in New Jersey’s impaired water bodies. The multi-year project demonstrates an integrative engineering-ecology solution for bloom suppression, offering scalable, chemical-free alternatives to safeguard both public health and aquatic ecosystems.

In addition to the oral presentation, Dr. Zhang and his PhD student, Guangyu Zhu, showcased two research posters:

• PFAS in Water, Soil, and Air: Mitigation Strategies Using Advanced Catalysis, Functional Membranes, and Nanobubble Technology
• Raman-Based Identification and Quantification of Microplastics in Food and Agricultural Wastes

Together, the NJIT team highlighted the critical role of cutting-edge environmental technologies in tackling pressing challenges such as PFAS pollution, microplastic contamination, and HABs. Their contributions demonstrated interdisciplinary integration of environmental engineering, analytical chemistry, and ecological restoration. For more information about our projects or collaboration inquiries, please contact wen.zhang@njit.edu.

This visit marked the first return to the HEP meeting since 2018, and much has changed since then. Over the past several years, Dr. Zhang and collaborators have significantly advanced research in the field of microplastics, with a strong focus on their aging, environmental fate, and interactions with co-contaminants.

At this year’s conference, Dr. Zhang presented a comprehensive overview of the team’s recent findings—from polymer degradation mechanisms to colloidal behavior in environmental systems. The presentation highlighted how interdisciplinary approaches and long-term collaboration have shaped a more detailed understanding of microplastic behavior in complex aquatic environments.🍁 It was a productive and inspiring gathering of environmental scientists working to protect the Hudson River and beyond.

Our group member, Yihan Zhang has successfully defended her Ph.D. dissertation, titled “CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND TRANSPORT BEHAVIOR OF REACTIVE NANOBUBBLES: IMPLICATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT ABATEMENT”. His dissertation research explored the development and application of nanobubble-assisted processes for PFAS removal, algal and odor compound mitigation, and heavy-metal release from contaminated soils. Yihan’s work integrates experimental, modeling, and translational approaches to advance sustainable water and soil treatment technologies.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Zhang for this outstanding achievement and her significant contributions to the field of environmental nanotechnology. We look forward to seeing her continued impact in research and innovation beyond NJIT!

October 29, 2025 — Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

NJIT Professor Wen Zhang, Director of the Laboratory of Nanotechnology in Sustainable Environment and Agriculture (NiSEA), delivered an invited seminar at Rutgers University titled “Nanobubbles and Their Environmental and Agricultural Applications.” The presentation offered a comprehensive overview of Dr. Zhang’s pioneering research portfolio at the intersection of nanotechnology, water treatment, and sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Zhang began by introducing the multidisciplinary research directions of his group, which span:

• Nanotechnology-enabled materials and processes for sustainable pollution mitigation and resource recovery;
• Electrochemical membrane and membrane-free systems for treating recalcitrant pollutants and recovering valuable resources (e.g., nitrogen and chlorine species);
• Smart agricultural irrigation and food disinfection technologies to mitigate climate change impacts; and
• Microplastics and colloidal particle research, investigating their aging, interfacial reactivity, and interactions with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in dynamic aquatic environments.

He highlighted the group’s innovative use of reactive electrochemical membranes and electromagnetic-assisted treatment processes for pollutant degradation, as well as their studies on microplastics’ environmental fate and colloidal behavior in estuarine systems, supported by agencies such as NSF, US EPA, NOAA, and NJDEP.

Transitioning to the main focus of his presentation, Dr. Zhang shared NJIT’s cutting-edge research on nanobubble technology, emphasizing membrane-based nanobubble generation and the interfacial and colloidal mechanisms that govern bubble formation, dissolution, and stability. His group’s studies—published in Langmuir, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, and Science of the Total Environment—demonstrate how parameters like membrane hydrophobicity, pore size, and flow conditions determine nanobubble concentration and gas transfer efficiency.

In the environmental domain, Dr. Zhang presented novel applications of oxygen (O₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and ozone (O₃) nanobubbles for pollution control and soil remediation. His group has demonstrated that nanobubbles can enhance the degradation and removal of PFAS, hydrocarbons, and algal toxins, while offering a green, low-energy alternative to conventional chemical or thermal treatment methods. Nanobubbles also act as reactive microdomains that improve oxidation, adsorption, and pollutant detachment at contaminated interfaces.

In agriculture, Dr. Zhang shared field and laboratory results showing how nanobubble-enriched irrigation water can enhance soil oxygenation, nutrient mobilization, and microbial activity in the rhizosphere. Experiments with oxygen and nitrogen nanobubbles revealed improved plant growth, nutrient uptake, and root development, as well as significant yield increases and fertilizer savings on demonstration farms in New Jersey. His team’s research further connects nanobubble effects to enhanced enzymatic activity, hormone regulation, and beneficial microbial community shifts that foster healthier plant systems.

Dr. Zhang’s presentation aligns with his leadership role in organizing the 2026 International Nanobubble Conference, to be held at NJIT, Newark, New Jersey (August 19–21, 2026). The event will convene global experts to advance scientific understanding and real-world adoption of nanobubble technologies.

“The Forum underscores how science and application can converge to solve urgent environmental challenges,” said Dr. Zhang. “As we prepare for the 2026 Nanobubble Conference at NJIT, we aim to continue this global dialogue and translate fundamental discoveries into scalable, sustainable solutions for water, agriculture, and energy systems.”

For more information on Dr. Zhang’s research and the upcoming conference, visit https://nanobubble2026.com or www.wenresearch.com.

Los Angeles, CA, October 2025 — Dr. Wen Zhang, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), was an invited speaker and panelist at the Global Nanobubble Forum 2025 organized by Moleaer, a world leader in nanobubble technology innovation. Hosted by Moleaer, the Global Nanobubble Forum 2025 featured keynotes from industry leaders such as Nick Dyner (CEO, Moleaer) and Snehal Desai (Chief Innovation Officer, Xylem), as well as technical sessions on lake restoration, wastewater innovation, and ozone nanobubbles for food safety. The event reinforced the pivotal role of nanobubble technologies in building a resilient, water-secure future.

The Forum, held on October 15–16 in Los Angeles, brought together leading researchers, industry pioneers, and technology developers to explore how nanobubbles are transforming industries from wastewater and surface water management to agriculture, aquaculture, and food safety.

In his invited presentation, “Nanobubbles and Their Environmental and Agricultural Applications,” Dr. Zhang showcased cutting-edge research from NJIT on membrane-based nanobubble generation, interfacial processes, and colloidal behavior that underpin applications in pollution mitigation, soil remediation, and sustainable agriculture. Dr. Zhang highlighted novel uses of oxygen (O₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and ozone (O₃) nanobubbles for soil and sediment cleanup, particularly for removing PFAS and oil contaminants. His team’s research demonstrates how nanobubbles act as adsorption and reaction sites to detach pollutants and improve mass transfer efficiency, offering a green, low-energy approach to restoring contaminated sites. In the agricultural domain, Dr. Zhang shared findings showing that nanobubble-enriched irrigation water can enhance soil nutrient release, stimulate root electrochemical activity, and promote plant growth by improving oxygen delivery and rhizosphere microbial balance. These results illustrate the potential of nanobubbles as a sustainable technology for improving crop health and soil productivity.

Panel Contribution: Debunking Myths, Defining Science

Dr. Zhang also joined Moleaer’s scientific leadership and academic experts in the lively panel “Myth or Game-Changer”, which challenged misconceptions surrounding nanobubble technology. Alongside Dr. James Earthman (UC Irvine) and Moleaer’s R&D leaders, he discussed how rigorous scientific studies—spanning bubble stability, surface charge dynamics, and pollutant interaction mechanisms—are essential to validate nanobubble performance across sectors. His contributions emphasized the need for interdisciplinary research and standardized testing, aligning with ongoing international efforts under ISO/TC 281 to formalize nanobubble terminology and measurement methods.

Bridging Research and Global Collaboration

This Global Nanobubble Forum served as a vital platform for fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and government. Moleaer’s initiative aligns closely with Dr. Zhang’s leadership in organizing the 2026 International Nanobubble Conference, to be held at NJIT, Newark, New Jersey (August 19–21, 2026) — an event that will build on the momentum of the Forum to advance global understanding and real-world adoption of nanobubble technology (https://nanobubble2026.com). “The Forum underscores how science and application can converge to solve urgent environmental challenges,” said Dr. Zhang. “As we prepare for the 2026 Nanobubble Conference at NJIT, we aim to continue this global dialogue and translate fundamental discoveries into scalable, sustainable solutions for water, agriculture, and energy systems.”

We are pleased to share that our recent study, “Comparative Study of CO₂ Nanobubbles and Macrobubbles: Effects on Water Chemistry, Microalgal Growth, and Carbon Utilization”, has been published in Water Research.

Our findings provide new insights into sustainable CO₂ management through algal biotechnology and underscore the broader role of nanobubble technology in global CO₂ reduction.

Read the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.124714

This research was partially supported by EPA Region 2 P2 research agreement (#NP-96259122-0) and the DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (Award #: FE-0032188).

Congratulations to first author Lili Li and the entire research team for this achievement!