The overall objectives of the project are to optimize and scale nihcf electrodes for NH4¿ recovery and validate performance in real wastewater, discover and fabricate MG-(anti)selective electrodes…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded Roca Water, Inc., a cooperative agreement for $3,705,637 on June 8, 2026, under the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy program (CFDA 81.135) to develop and commercialize electrochemical technologies for selective ion recovery from wastewater.

The recipient will optimize and scale nickel-hexacyanoferrate (NIHCF) electrodes for ammonium recovery and validate performance in real wastewater; discover and fabricate magnesium-(anti)selective electrodes through computational screening and experimental synthesis; conduct technoeconomic and lifecycle assessment analyses in parallel with technology development to benchmark costs, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions; and integrate both recovery modules into a dual-ion prototype producing market-ready products. All work is performed at the recipient's facility in Alameda, California.

The period of performance runs through June 7, 2029. Roca Water is a woman-owned small business manufacturer and developer of electrochemical water treatment technologies.

The overall objectives of the project are to optimize and scale nihcf electrodes for NH4¿ recovery and validate performance in real wastewater, discover and fabricate MG-(anti)selective electrodes through computational screening and experimental synthesis, conduct tea and LCA in parallel with technology development to benchmark costs, energy, and greenhouse gas emissions and to integrate both recovery modules into a dual-ION prototype producing market-ready products.