Turning Sludge into a Story
Sewage sludge might not sound glamorous, but it tells a fascinating chemical story.
Rich in nutrients yet carrying micropollutants, from pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds to PFASs and industrial chemicals,it presents a unique challenge: how can we safely reuse it while monitoring contaminants effectively?
A Cross-Reactive Sensor Array
Our solution is a cross-reactive sensor array made of structurally diverse hosts: cucurbit[8]uril, cucurbit[7]uril, γ-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin, sulfocalix[4]arene, and human serum albumin. Paired with fluorescent dyes, this system responds to host-guest interactions. Using fluorescence indicator displacement assays (FIDAs), we’ve tested hundreds of host-dye-analyte combinations, including key pharmaceuticals, bisphenol A, and various estrogens, to see how the array can detect and differentiate pollutants in complex sludge matrices.
Highlight: FMA Section Talks
One of the most exciting moments of the year was presenting our latest results at the FMA section talks on 19 November. Sharing our work with the Functional Molecular Assembly community at the University of Glasgow was incredibly motivating.
“The fluorescence turn-on from Acridine Orange with CB8 was a moment that made me think: yes, our system is capturing real chemical interactions.”
Making Sense of the Data
Data analysis using PCA and HCA revealed that our array can generate distinct response patterns for individual pollutants. Removing low-information channels improved analyte discrimination, while fluorescence titrations confirmed that the patterns come from genuine supramolecular host-guest interactions.
Key takeaway: differential sensing can provide rapid, interpretable insights into complex sludge samples, complementing traditional techniques like HPLC.
Reflections on the Journey
This past year has reinforced that research is as much about creativity and curiosity as it is about experiments. Seeing clear signals in the lab, receiving feedback, and presenting our findings all remind me that science grows through exploration and collaboration.
As we move forward, I’m excited to see how these chemical signals can translate into actionable insights for sustainable sludge monitoring and treatment.
