Rapid and economical system for preparation of PFAS samples to lower the method detection limit

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences awarded $305,754 to Innovaprep LLC on September 10, 2025, under the Environmental Health program (CFDA 93.113) to develop a rapid and economical system for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sample preparation that lowers method detection limits and enhances high-throughput capabilities.

Innovaprep will design and prototype a concentrating pipette system incorporating sorbent-loaded hollow fiber filters for solid-phase extraction (termed HiFi-SPE) and patented wet foam elution technology. The system will simultaneously capture and elute PFAS from both free water and environmental particles, with preliminary data demonstrating processing of 500 milliliter samples in minutes at high concentration factors. The development approach includes optimizing sorbent materials, creating solvent-resistant components, and applying computational fluid dynamics to refine design parameters.

The University of Kansas collaborates on the effort to produce a scalable, automated system for faster and more sensitive PFAS analysis in environmental and public health monitoring. Work is performed in Drexel, Missouri, with performance extending through August 31, 2027. The assistance type is a Project Grant, classified under the SBIR/STTR competitive program framework that emphasizes technological innovation and commercial application potential.

Abstract

This project aims to develop an innovative and cost-effective PFAS sample preparation (c- prep) system that signiflcantly lowers the method detection limit (MDL) and enhances high-throughput capabilities. Utilizing innovaprep's concentrating pipette instrument with a novel "loosely loaded concentrating pipette tip (CPT)" design termed hifi-SPE, the system will overcome limitations of traditional solid-phase extraction (SPE) methods by reducing sample loading times while maintaining binding efficiency and sensitivity. Key innovations include sorbent-loaded hollow flber fllters for solid-phase extraction (hifi- SPE), integration with patented wet foam elution technology, and the ability to simultaneously capture and elute PFAS from both free water and environmental particles. The approach includes optimizing sorbent materials, developing solvent-resistant components, and utilizing computational ʋuid dynamics to reflne design parameters. Preliminary data demonstrates the feasibility of processing 500 ML samples in minutes with high concentration factors, representing a signiflcant advance in PFAS detection. This collaborative effort between innovaprep LLC and the university of kansas will result in a scalable, automated system that provides faster, more sensitive PFAS analysis, addressing critical needs in environmental and public health monitoring.