In Erlangen, Germany, a small team of scientists may have solved one of the world's trickiest water pollution problems. Johannes Voß and Linda Rockmann, working under Professor Marcus Halik at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), developed tiny magnetic particles that can pull dangerous "forever chemicals" out of water — simply by waving a magnet nearby.
These forever chemicals, officially called PFAS, are found in everything from non-stick pans to waterproof jackets. The problem is they never break down. They accumulate in rivers, drinking water, and even our bodies. Cleaning them out has been extremely difficult — until now.
The scientists created iron oxide nanoparticles, essentially rust particles, coated with special materials that act like tiny magnets for PFAS. When these particles are mixed into contaminated water, they grab onto the chemicals. A regular magnet then pulls the particles out, taking the PFAS with them. No fancy equipment needed.
What makes this breakthrough especially useful is how flexible it is. The same technology works not just on individual PFAS molecules, but also on fluorine-containing microplastics — tiny plastic particles shed from items like workout clothes and cosmetics. "Our technology bridges the gap from molecular pollutants to microscopic particles," Professor Halik explained, "and underscores the potential of functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles as a versatile and sustainable platform for water treatment."
Most importantly, the method works outside laboratories. The team tested it on actual contaminated water: drinking sources, river water, and wash water from outdoor clothing and soil cleanup projects. In one test, they reduced PFAS levels in a contaminated drinking water source by 87 percent — bringing it below Germany's new safety limit of 100 nanograms per liter. The particles are also non-toxic, can be produced in large quantities, and some versions can even be cleaned and reused.
The research, published in the journal Materials Today, represents a practical tool that water treatment plants could eventually use to tackle pollution at scale. With PFAS contamination affecting water supplies worldwide, this simple magnetic approach offers a ray of hope for communities still searching for clean water.
The particles work on both individual PFAS molecules and fluorine-containing microplastics — tiny plastic particles from clothing and cosmetics.