Mantisonix - a sound solution for forever chemicals

Per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), also called "Forever Chemicals", have been tagged as 'the next asbestos' due to damaging environmental and health effects and huge anticipated clean-up costs. The global societal cost, including remediation and health care is estimated at ~£14tn annually (ChemSec 2023). PFAS are considered as emerging contaminants of global concern.

Although, many solutions exist to remove PFAS from the environment, the Mantisonix solution is the only solution that allows environmentally-friendly removal by completely breaking PFAS down to safe, naturally occurring products. Conventional treatments inplace to remove PFAS result in releasing more PFAS into the environment, e.g. in landfill leachate treatment (Guardian,2024). Current PFAS treatments are inadequate, separation simply transfers the problem, and incineration is energy-intensive and produces toxic greenhouse gases such as fluorinated-gases. Using high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to break down PFAS instead of incineration has been demonstrated as a viable solution at the University of Surrey.

This project will support a newly-formed spin-out company, Mantisonix, to implement ultrasound for treatment of PFAS in the field. At the completion of the project Mantisonix will have demonstrated investor-readiness, thus be able to attract private funding and take the technology to market. Mantisonix has strong interest from global environmental contracting, waste- and drinking-water treatment sectors.

The goal of Mantisonix is to rid the world of PFAS by breaking up the damaging PFAS cycle. The Mantisonix team has the expertise required for the successful development of a competitive business in PFAS destruction. Their skill sets are highly complementary and perfectly suited for this project and beyond. The team is committed to the success of Mantisonix and believe in the significant impact that the technology will have on the environment and public health.