3D Lab

Prof. Junyue Holden Wang leads the 3D lab in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Maine. Our research focuses on advanced instrumentation (e.g., laser, pulse radiolysis, microfluidic synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy, mass spectrometry) and innovative physical-chemical processes (e.g., ultraviolet, plasma, nanomaterial catalysts) for diverse applications at the water-climate-health nexus, including (i) Decarbonization: conversion of greenhouse gases, (ii) Disinfection: inactivation of viruses and antibiotic resistant bacteria for public health purposes, and (iii) Decontamination: degradation of emerging organic contaminants for environmental sustainability.

As the Principle Investigator (PI)

As the lead researcher (postdoc and graduate Student)

Plasma Conversion of Hydrofluorocarbon Greenhouse Gases

HFCs are potent greenhouse gases with >14,800 times higher global warming potential than CO2. HFCs are highly persistent gases with low solubility and recalcitrant C-F bonds that challenge conventional degradation technology. Under the EPA Phasedown 2022, we collaborated with a nonprofit organization and developed plasma oxidation of HFCs, representing the first non-thermal HFC destruction. We developed an innovative underwater plasma system for near-complete mineralization of hydrofluorocarbon greenhouse gases.

Photo-Generated Organic Radicals for Water Decontamination

Energy exploitation using hydraulic fracturing or petroleum refinery produces polyaromatic compounds in wastewater. We applied laser flash photolysis, pulse radiolysis, and in-situ electron paramagnetic resonance and identified peroxyl radicals (R-C(O)OO●) as selective oxidants for polyaromatic compounds, and hence developed related advanced oxidation processes for treatment of naphthyl-rich petroleum refinery wastewater.

Understanding Pathogen Inactivation by Multidimensional Bioanalysis

Delineating microbial inactivation mechanisms from biochemistry perspective is vital for pathogen control. We proposed multi-dimensional bioanalysis (flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, (RT-)qPCR, mass spectrometry) to reveal the different disinfection mechanisms of chlorine, peroxyacids (POAs), and radicals. We found chlorine induced rapid surface damage and destruction of intracellular proteins and genomes, while POAs could penetrate through intact membrane and add to cellular oxidative pressure with no genome damage. The findings shed light on pathogen control and bio-analytical method selection for treatment plants employing diverse disinfectants.