BAM researchers have developed a portable solution for rapid detection of “permanent chemicals” using molecularly imprinted polymers and fluorescence sensing.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are among the analytically most challenging compounds in today’s chemical management. Their diversity, chemical stability, and presence down to trace levels require advanced analytical techniques. Although such laboratory techniques are essential for regulatory assessments and environmental monitoring, they cannot provide the rapid feedback needed for industrial process control and emissions management.
To address this gap, BAM has developed a new on-site PFAS analysis approach that quickly delivers application-oriented results at the point of need¹. This method uses advanced molecular recognition integrated into a compact system and provides reliable results within minutes. Rather than attempting comprehensive PFAS detection, the system targets specific PFAS subclasses relevant to specific applications, resulting in speed and robustness.
Molecular imprinting as a basis for selectivity
The sensing concept relies on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which are synthetic recognition elements designed to selectively bind to specific molecules or groups of related molecules. By choosing the appropriate template, you can tailor your MIP to the compounds or subclasses that are relevant to your specific analytical context.
In the first demonstration, BAM focused on perfluorinated and polyfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCA). PFCAs are a prominent PFAS subclass that has been widely used in the past and are of great importance to regulatory efforts due to their ubiquity. Their chemical properties make them a difficult but suitable target for proof of concept of sensors under realistic conditions.
With this strategy, it is considered impossible to detect all 10,000+ PFAS on-site. The BAM approach demonstrates how analytical relevance and operational feasibility can be combined by focusing on PFCAs as lead compounds.
Modularity and scalability by design
The main advantage of MIP-based platforms is their modularity. Although this system is not limited to PFCAs, the dual fluorescent nanoparticles can be adapted to different PFAS subclasses depending on the user’s analytical requirements.
This modularity is an intentional design principle and an ongoing area of research within BAM Group. As new subclasses of PFAS gain prominence, through changes in industrial applications or regulatory focus, new MIPs can be developed and incorporated into existing platforms without requiring a complete redesign. This designed selectivity and flexibility is a major advantage when analyzing PFAS, where both industrial usage patterns and regulatory concerns may change.
Miniaturized analysis delivers results in minutes
The MIP-based sensing approach is integrated into a compact analytical platform that combines liquid handling, chemical sensing, and optical detection. Liquid samples can be analyzed with minimal preparation, and detection of PFCAs takes approximately 15 minutes.
Optical detection converts molecular recognition events into fluorescent signals, which are digitally processed. Miniaturization reduces reagent consumption and ratiometric sensing supports reproducibility. The compact format makes this system suitable for industrial plants.
This combination of selective chemistry and compact instrumentation allows PFAS analysis to be moved from the laboratory to operational environments where rapid information is critical.
Validation using real samples
The technology is currently at readiness level 4 (TRL 4) and has been validated in a laboratory setting using real samples rather than simulated solutions. Validation using real matrices is an important step in the detection of PFAS, as performance can be limited by the presence of matrices and potential interferents. The fact that selective detection of PFCAs was achieved under these conditions clearly demonstrates the robustness of the detection strategy and provides a sound basis for further development.
For now, the system is still a laboratory prototype and has not yet been used in real industrial settings such as soil washing or wastewater treatment plants.
Enabling rapid decision-making in industrial fields
This method is aimed at industrial process control and emission management. It is not intended to replace laboratory analysis for approval or to provide a complete environmental analysis, but rather to support rapid intervention where the time delay introduced by sampling and subsequent laboratory analysis precludes operational control.
Potential application scenarios include (i) monitoring PFAS-related streams within industrial processes, (ii) assisting in optimizing treatment or separation technologies, (iii) detecting deviations that may lead to unintended emissions, and (iv) providing rapid analytical feedback in facilities such as soil washing or treatment plants.
In these cases, the ability to rapidly detect relevant PFAS subclasses, such as PFCAs, allows immediate action to be taken to reduce emissions at the source rather than documenting them retrospectively.
Complementing laboratory-based PFAS analysis
By design, on-site systems cannot claim to be “PFAS-free” and do not detect all PFAS. Laboratory-based methods remain essential for complete environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance. Instead, the BAM approach is part of a multi-step analytical strategy, where in-situ detection quickly provides application-specific information and laboratory analysis is used to obtain the detail and legal certainty needed for environmental decision-making.
The next step in innovation: towards deployable prototypes
The system has now reached TRL 4, and the next phase will focus on implementation and systems engineering to adapt the platform to real-world situations where robustness, ease of use, and reliability are of paramount importance.
The main development goals are (i) to adapt the sample interface to real process streams of varying composition, ² (ii) to integrate optical, fluidic, and electronic components into a robust system, (iii) to ensure stable calibration and reproducible performance outside the laboratory, and (iv) to extend the modular MIP concept to other PFAS subclasses. Achieving these milestones will enable pilot and demonstration projects that lead to higher TRLs.
Flexible innovation for complex chemical challenges
BAM’s on-site PFAS detection technology shows how targeted, modular analysis systems can meet industry needs without over-promising. This approach creates new analytical capabilities with clear development potential by first focusing on PFCAs, validating their performance on real samples, and incorporating modularity into the design. Its adaptability ensures that the platform can respond to changing industrial and regulatory requirements. This is important for managing one of the most persistent and diverse classes of chemicals in use today.
References
Ratiometric detection of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids using dual fluorescent nanoparticles and a small microfluidic platform. Nat Commun 16 (2025) 10869 V Pérez-Padilla, et al. Detection of perfluoroalkyl acids from water using guanidine-based fluorescent probes and microfluidic droplet extraction. Adv Sens Res 5 (2026) e70145
Dr. Knut Roulak
Head of the molecular department. Chemical/Optical Sensing Division
Bundesanstalt für Materialsforschung und -prüfung (BAM)
Dr. Cornelia Gaulitza
scientists, materials. Chemical/Optical Sensing Division
Bundesanstalt für Materialsforschung und -prüfung (BAM)
Dr. Jeremy Bell
scientist, device. Chemical/Optical Sensing Division
Bundesanstalt für Materialsforschung und -prüfung (BAM)
Please note: This is a commercial profile
This article will be published in the upcoming PFAS Special Focus Publication in April.
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