2024 RISE Award Winner
Wave Lumina won second place at the AquaHacking Challenge, taking home $10,000 in seed money from AquaAction and a $2,500 patent service-based RISE Award from Aurora. Wave Lumina founder Vernon LaLone has developed a portable device for swiftly detecting ultra-low levels of PFAS and other contaminants in environmental samples, revolutionizing on-site environmental assessments. Before environmental engineering firms and government response teams can clean up forever chemicals like PFAS, they need to locate them, but lab testing is currently expensive and very time consuming. Wave Lumina's device, which they're calling the Containment Field Screening Device, is a groundbreaking new product that will enable onsite total PFAS testing and screening (including PFOS and PFOA) technology with same-day results! This can save months – or even years – of time for anyone working on contamination site remediation and PFAS destruction processes.
Environmental Impact. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in our bodies or in the environment. The inherent properties of these chemical compounds – the ability to repel water, oil, and dirt – cause them to persist in the environment. Used in everything from dental floss to non-stick cookware to fast-food packaging and stain-resistant furniture, you can find them nearly everywhere – and in nearly everyone. Many independent studies have shown that PFAS can be toxic to adults and especially children - even at extremely low levels (parts per quadrillion), posing significant risks to our health. Studies have linked PFAS to cancers (kidney and testicular), high cholesterol, thyroid disease, liver damage, hormone disruption, asthma, allergies, reduced vaccine response, decreased fertility, newborn deaths, low birth weight, birth defects, delayed development, and abnormal fetal development.
Vernon LaLone, PhD, Nate Peck, PE, and Joshua J. Francis
Our thought bubble. While chemical companies and regulators SLOWLY and FINALLY begin to own up to the problem, and we work toward a broader awareness (and hopefully reduced reliance on PFAS) – identification and remediation are next up for solving this massive health crisis. Wave Lumina's device will be instrumental in tackling a problem of incredible scope with an efficient, cost-effective, and truly scalable solution. Beyond impact, we also look to recognize great humans with the RISE Award, and Vernon is simply one of the nicest, smartest, hardest-working people you'll meet. We love to see it when good people do great things!
Award Impact.
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We are honored and grateful to be amongst the recipients of this year's RISE award. The program is supercharging our team's IP strategy during this critical early stage of our mission to protect Earth's precious water resources. |
The Tech.
Wave Lumina's Contaminant Field Screening Device (or CFSD) enables environmental professionals to complete onsite sample testing in as little as 30 minutes per sample, with immediate results. The rugged field design allows the CFSD to be operated in the field, with no network access required, powered via battery or power supply, and connected directly to your laptop. The device can be used for identifying contaminated drinking water, wastewater, and industrial water screening – providing total PFAS Testing screening solutions to a wide variety of industry professionals (PFAS & PFOA), from baseline engineering assessments to remediation and destruction efforts.
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Follow Wave Lumina and Learn More.
Wave Lumina is working diligently to bring their Containment Field Screening Device to market and improve PFAS testing capabilities worldwide. The CFSD is currently undergoing lab validation and will soon begin field validation and pilot programs. Wave Lumina is seeking industry professionals interested in joining their pilot program.
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