Soundwave-using recycling tech turns ‘forever chemicals’ into renewable resources

U.K. researchers have developed a groundbreaking technique for recycling fuel cells using soundwaves. The method efficiently separates valuable catalyst materials and fluorinated polymer membranes (PFAS) from catalyst-coated membranes without harsh chemicals. This scalable process uses organic solvent soaking and water ultrasonication, addressing environmental concerns about PFAS contamination. The innovation could make fuel cell technology more sustainable and economically viable, potentially accelerating the adoption of hydrogen-powered energy systems in vehicles and other applications.