Agencies

NSF Graduate Research Fellow helps turn ‘forever chemicals’ into valuable resource

Published: 22 July 2025
Categories: National Science Foundation

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

“Forever chemicals” are everywhere — from Teflon pans and dental floss to raincoats and microwave popcorn bags. Known as PFAS, these chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are noted for their resistance to heat, oil and water. That same staying power makes them a growing concern. PFAS have been linked to a range of serious health risks, including increased risk of certain cancers, fertility issues, immune system dysfunction and developmental problems. Because PFAS remain in water, soil and air for a long time (hence the name “forever chemicals”), removing them from the environment has become a public priority.  

Earlier this year, a team of scientists from Rice University (including U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program alum Kevin Wyss) announced the development of a new method to break down PFAS that is not only extremely effective (removing 99.98% of the most common PFAS pollutant), but also creates the valuable manufacturing material graphene, one of the world’s strongest and lightest materials.  

This pioneering method involves combining PFAS with granular activated carbon and salts, then heating it to over 3,000 degrees Celsius in under a second. The intense heat breaks the chemical bonds in PFAS, turning them into harmless fluoride salts. At the same time, the activated carbon in the mixture is turned into graphene, which is used in industries such as manufacturing, electronics

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Podcast: Unlocking the fourth state of matter [plasma]

Published: 21 July 2025
Categories: National Science Foundation

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

The fourth state of matter, plasma, is involved in several aspects of how modern microelectronic components are manufactured. Jeremiah Williams, a professor at Wittenberg University and a program director at the U.S. National Science Foundation, discusses how plasmas are used in semiconductor manufacturing and how understanding plasma physics spurs industrial innovation.

Listen to NSF Discovery Files wherever you get your podcasts.

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Public Briefing on Preparations for Holtec Palisades Nuclear Power Plant Restart

Published: 21 July 2025
Categories: FEMA News

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

CHICAGO – FEMA, state and local officials will conduct a public briefing August 5, 2025, for residents to learn about emergency public health and safety plans and preparations for the restart of the Holtec Palisades, LLC nuclear power plant.

Officials from the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division and county emergency management offices in the vicinity of the plant will provide an overview of preparedness plans and how they would function in the event of an emergency. FEMA officials will outline the review and approval process of those plans and provide a brief overview of the July 29 preparedness exercise. The exercise—part of FEMA’s Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program—assesses the ability of the state of Michigan, Van Buren County, Allegan County and Berrien County to respond to an emergency at the Holtec Palisades nuclear power plant. 

Details for the public briefing are as follows:

WHAT:           Public Briefing on Emergency Plans and Preparations for the 

                         Holtec Palisades Nuclear Power Plant Restart

WHEN:          Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. 

WHERE:        Van Buren Intermediate School District Conference Center

                         490 S. Paw Paw St.

                         Lawrence, MI 49064

Residents will also have the opportunity to

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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Burdoin Fire in Washington

Published: 21 July 2025
Categories: FEMA News

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

BOTHELL, Wash. –  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Burdoin Fire burning in Klickitat County, Washington, and on land of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. 

The state of Washington’s request for a declaration under FEMA’s Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) program was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Administrator Vincent J. Maykovich on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 5:15 p.m. PT. He determined that the Burdoin Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the first FMAG declaration in 2025 to help fight Washington wildfires. 

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of White Salmon, Bingen, Straight Point and Lyle. The fire also threatened roadways, railways and local powerlines. It was also impacting the Columbia River Scenic Area and turtle habitat in the area. 

FMAGs make funding available to pay up to 75 percent of a state’s eligible firefighting costs for fires that threaten to become major disasters. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.  

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