Assistant Professor Edison Ang Huixiang from National Institute of Education/Nanyang Technological University (NIE/NTU) Singapore. Photo credit: NIE/NTU.
In a groundbreaking advance with significant implications for environmental safety, Dr. Edison Huixiang Ang, an electrochemist at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University (NIE-NTU), is leading a collaboration with scientists from Jiangsu University of Science and Technology. Using innovative electrochemical techniques, Dr. Ang’s team has developed a polymer-based system capable of efficiently capturing uranium from contaminated water. This technology could provide a safer, more sustainable approach to managing nuclear wastewater, protecting oceans, and enabling the responsible expansion of nuclear energy worldwide.
As nuclear energy grows around the world, so does a hidden danger: uranium-contaminated wastewater that could leak into oceans, harming marine life, fisheries, and coastal communities. Dr. Edison Ang, an expert in electrochemistry, is turning this threat into a solution that could change how the world handles nuclear waste.
“Electrochemistry lets us control tiny charged particles in water,” Dr. Ang explains. “By understanding how uranium behaves, we can capture it safely before it harms people or the environment.”
Science That Works at the Smallest Scale
Dr. Ang’s work began with a focus on precision, making sure chemical reactions are clean, predictable, and reliable. These skills are now at the heart of his research, where electricity is used to grab uranium atoms directly from water.
His team created a special polymer electrode, called PyHATP, for a process called capacitive deionization (CDI). Think of it like a magnet for uranium: it attracts uranium from water, holds it safely, and lets it be removed in a controlled way.
Through careful experiments and computer simulations, his team discovered why this polymer works so well: its chemical structure forms strong bonds with uranium, letting it capture uranium even from complex seawater. This solves a problem that scientists have struggled with for decades.
From Lab Discovery to Real-World Impact
The system can hold a record-breaking amount of uranium, 676 milligrams per gram of material and removes over 90% of uranium from real seawater samples, while being reusable many times without losing effectiveness.
“This is more than chemistry, it’s a roadmap for a safer, sustainable future,” he says.
His work has big implications for:
- Policymakers, who can safely expand nuclear energy while protecting oceans
- Industries, which gain scalable and sustainable wastewater treatment methods
- Universities and researchers, who can build on his platform to advance clean technology
A Mission Beyond the Lab
Dr. Ang shows how one scientist can turn fundamental science into practical solutions for the planet. By capturing uranium efficiently and safely, he ensures that nuclear energy can grow without leaving a toxic legacy.
In a world where energy, environment, and technology intersect, Dr. Ang proves that electrochemistry is not just academic, it’s a tool to protect our oceans, safeguard communities, and build a sustainable future.
Reference:
Electrochemically Driven Uranium Capture via Polymer-Based Capacitive Deionization for Radioactive Wastewater Remediation. ACS Materials Letters, 2025, DOI: 10.1021/acsmaterialslett.5c01345
