Nanotechnology for Universal Clean Air & Water Security (NU-CAWS)
Established in 2020, Nanotechnology for Universal Clean Air & Water Security (NU-CAWS) is a strategic research center within the International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) at Northwestern University. It was founded on the principle that breathing clean air and drinking clean water are fundamental human rights.
Solving global environmental challenges requires diverse, interdisciplinary expertise. NU-CAWS serves as a hub for a distinguished team of chemists, materials scientists, engineers, technology transfer experts, industrial partners, and policy experts.
This dedicated team of specialists leverages the cutting-edge facilities available at the IIN and Northwestern, and combines fundamental research with real-world applications, working with industrial partners to scale up new materials.
Our Research
NU-CAWS focuses on the development of nanomaterials that detect and target pollutants in the water and air.
Adsorbent Materials
NU-CAWS researchers have discovered and commercialized cyclodextrin polymer adsorbent materials that showed outstanding promise in eliminating water pollutants including lead, PFAS, and agrochemicals.
Nanoporous Materials
Nanoporous crystalline materials have been developed for applications including water purification and protection against chemical warfare agents. NuMat Technologies, founded by NU-CAWS researchers, is the first company to commercialize system-level product enabled by metal-organic frameworks.
These nanoporous materials are unique in that their properties can be tailored in a controlled manner, which is difficult or impossible to achieve in their bulk counterparts. The intriguing physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials can be used to develop unique platforms for air and water purification.
Learn more about leading-edge research led by NU-CAWS personnel.
Mission and Vision
The mission of NU-CAWS is to produce next-generation solutions to air and water pollution.
Research at NU-CAWS will positively impact human health on a global scale by advancing access to clean air and clean water for people across the world.
Leadership
William Dichtel is a professor and materials chemist at Northwestern University and a 2015 MacArthur Fellow.
Omar Farha is a professor of chemistry and chemical engineering at Northwestern University and a fellow of the European Academy of Sciences.
Associated Faculty
Faculty associated with NU-CAWS represent disciplines including:
- Chemistry
- Materials Science & Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Life Cycle/Impact Analysis
- Water Security
See the complete list of associated faculty members.
Case Study
Researchers at Northwestern are developing tiny, smart, programmable sponge-like materials – or porous nanomaterials – that represent one of the most promising new developments for cleaning water and air.
These highly-tunable nanoporous materials can selectively capture specific toxins.
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