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(CNA, Kaohsiung, November 4) — With funding from the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC), National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) is developing smart water quality management technologies. The research includes specialized sensing membranes designed to detect heavy metal ions such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, as well as the integration of technologies that use mechanical energy to promote the decomposition of organic pollutants. The project aims to expand these applications to various fields in the future, including coastal water quality early warning systems.

In a press release issued today, the Ocean Affairs Council stated that the research team led by Professor Chih-Ming Wu of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at National Tsing Hua University has collaborated with the team led by Professor Tsung-Hung Lin of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at National Taiwan University. Testing and validation results showed that the sensing membranes respond more strongly to the targeted heavy metal ions than to other ions tested, demonstrating their ability to accurately identify specific heavy metals in water.

The OAC also noted that the NTHU research team has combined molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) with carbon cloth to develop catalytic materials for pollutant decomposition. Water flow and mechanical agitation are then used to promote the breakdown of pollutants. Under specific experimental conditions, the system achieved an organic pollutant removal rate of over 90% after 40 minutes of treatment, demonstrating an energy-efficient purification approach.

The research team stated that it has completed several stages of integrated testing and validation, including piezoelectric catalysts, heavy metal sensing components, and a circulating water simulation system. The next steps will focus on field testing in coastal areas and integrating remote monitoring capabilities. The team hopes to extend the technology to various applications, including coastal water quality early warning systems, smart aquaculture management, and marine ecosystem protection.

The OAC stated that the project integrates pollutant decomposition and heavy metal sensing technologies. By harnessing mechanical energy generated by seawater movement to promote the decomposition of organic pollutants, and combining this process with self-powered heavy metal sensing capabilities, the system achieves energy-efficient water purification and real-time monitoring. The OAC will continue to support marine technology projects through research grants to strengthen Taiwan's capacity for independent management and protection of its coastal and marine environments.

(Edited by Li Heng-shan) November 4, 2026

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