Can Sound Clean Water?

Researchers at Ohio State University have recently demonstrated the feasibility of using sound to clean “forever chemicals”.

The effects of “forever chemicals” on the body.

"Forever chemicals" have been commonly used in products like cookware and waterproof clothing. These chemicals, now linked to health issues like cancer and birth defects, persist in the environment due to their strong bonds. OSU researchers have been exploring ultrasonic degradation as a potential method of breaking down these chemical bonds—in other words, cleaning water with sound. In their study, lab-made mixtures of "forever chemicals” were exposed to ultrasound. Results revealed not only that the compounds degraded, but also that smaller compounds broke down more efficiently than larger ones—a promising find since smaller compounds usually resist most treatments.

Ultrasound purification emits low-frequency sound, creating vapor pockets or "cavitation bubbles." When these bubbles collapse, they produce intense heat, breaking down the resilient carbon-fluorine bonds in “forever chemicals”, making the remnants largely non-toxic. However, this method is energy-intensive and expensive. Although the current research isn't set for larger-scale application, it presents a promising new direction towards a new method of water filtration.