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NEWS

18
SEPT, 2024

IL State senator Laura Fine visits MFNS Tech

MFNS Tech had the privilege of hosting IL State Senator Laura Fine, who is also a Vice Chair of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus (GLLC). Senator Fine was highly impressed by MFNS Tech's innovative OHM Technology and our recent advancements in technology. We discussed the potential of our technology to contribute to environmental remediation efforts in the Great Lakes region."

09
Sept, 2024

MFNS Tech awarded competitive grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR Phase II

Small Business Innovation Research Program Provides Seed Funding for R&D

02
AUG, 2024

MFNS Tech and NU’s InQbation center conclude successful internship program

MFNS Tech in collaboration with Northwestern University – INVO at the InQbation center recently concluded a ten-week internship program. Material Science undergraduates Yash Fadia and Aarav Lodha from Northwestern University participated in the program. They gained invaluable hands-on experience in a dynamic startup environment while at MFNS Tech. The interns successfully showcased their learnings, including conducting R&D for new products, supporting pilot projects, and understanding business operations, at a final presentation. This experience will undoubtedly serve as a strong foundation for their future careers.

13
JUL, 2024

MFNS Goes Global for Cleaning Oil Spills!

Working with industry experts in charge of cleaning oil spills in norther Europe, MFNS demonstrated the high reusability of the OHM Sponge (20X+!) in a boom form for treating oil spills in open water environments. MFNS is excited to offer an economic and reusable solution to oil spills that not only decreases waste and needed inventory of sorbents but also allows for the reclamation of lost oil!

05
JUN, 2024

MFNS Heads West for Phosphate Remediation!

Partnering with local landowners on a nutrient polluted river, the MFNS Team has just completed a pilot show casing the MNS (Magnetic Nano Structures) medias ability to selectively remove Phosphates from water at high capacity. This success paves the way for future larger scale phosphate remediation projects to help keep the rivers and waterways of the world clean!

16
MAY, 2024

Local Pilot Success in Food and Bev!

The MFNS Team has partnered with a local Food and Bev production facility to demonstrate the effectiveness of OHM Media in FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) reduction. Using our media in onsite tests showed significant reduction of excess FOG from plant discharge showing how useful and economical the MFNS products can be in the industrial food and beverage space!

03
APR, 2024

Large scale testing column: Bridging lab to real world testing

The MFNS Team has built a large-scale testing column for internal and customer sample testing. This scale of testing column allows for versatile flow conditions to match the needs and design constraints of real applications seen in industry. In order to best be prepared for the challenges presented by the real world we must show our technological ability to adapt to any and all environmental circumstances!

01
MAR, 2024

MFNS Welcomes Alex Gordon!

MFNS is excited to announce the addition of the Director of Field Engineering, Alex Gordon. Coming from a background in industrial water treatment Alex brings industry know how to the MFNS Team. We are excited to have their industry perspective on hand for the continued commercialization and development of our efficient, economical, and ecofriendly solutions for environmental challenges!

12
FEB, 2024

Scaling up production in partnership with contract manufacturing

The MFNS Team in partnership with a contract manufacturer has moved production of OHM Sponge out of the lab and onto the factory floor! As product demand increases so too must our ability to supply our efficient, economical, and ecofriendly solutions for environmental challenges!

15
JAN, 2024

MFNS Tech moves lab scale to bench scale

OHM products are intended for use in large-scale industries that deal with significant volumes of contaminated water (thousands of gallons) daily. MFNS Tech has already showcased superior performance of OHM products compared to alternative solutions available in the market. Now, we are excited to announce our transition from lab scale production to bench scale production, representing 5-10 times increase in output. This significant advancement enables us to conduct industrial-scale pilot testing, bringing MFNS Tech closer to commercialization.

06
DEC, 2023

A new member joins MFNS Team

We're thrilled to welcome our new Research Assistant- Andrew Inigo, a recent master’s graduate in Material Science from Carnegie Mellon University. Inigo brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the table, eager to contribute to MFNS Tech's innovative spirit. We're confident that Inigo's fresh perspective and expertise will be invaluable assets as we continue our progress towards developing efficient, economical, and ecofriendly solutions for environmental challenges. Welcome to the team, Inigo! We're excited to see what you'll achieve!

19
NOV, 2023

MFNS Tech secures N.XT funding by Northwestern University

We are excited to announce that MFNS Tech has been selected to be awarded the N. XT funding by Northwestern's Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO). This funding will be used to accelerate our growth and development, and it is a testament to Northwestern University's commitment to supporting its entrepreneurs and fostering innovation.

MFNS Tech is grateful for the Northwestern University's support and excited to continue its growth.

10
NOV, 2023

OHM Sponge tested by USCG

OHM Sponge underwent rigorous testing by the US Coast Guard (USCG RFI, "Government Evaluation of Sorbents for Oil Spill Response”, FAR 15.201). The recently released report classifies OHM Sponge as a Category I absorbent, showcasing its exceptional capability to absorb oil swiftly and effectively, exceeding industry standards. The report highlights: “It (OHM Sponge) showed very high selectivity for Hydrocal 300 and achieved maximum oil capacity within the first 15 minutes during the ASTM F726-17 test. It also had high oil adsorption values in static and mix-energy conditions with water.” This USCG report is more than just a technical evaluation; it's a powerful validation of OHM Sponge's potential as a superior oil spill response solution.

08
NOV, 2023

MFNS Tech makes industry presence at the Clean Gulf Conference 2023

MFNS Tech made a significant impact at the Clean Gulf Conference 2023 and exhibition, showcasing its latest OHM products and establishing valuable connections with industry leaders. The event provided an excellent platform for us to highlight its commitment to treating oil contaminated water and its expertise in sorbent and wastewater filtration media.

30
OCT, 2023

A Leap Forward with over a million dollars in seed funding

MFNS Tech is thrilled to announce that it has successfully raised a seed round funding from a group of esteemed investors led by Good Growth Capital. This significant milestone marks a pivotal moment in our journey, providing the necessary resources to propel its innovative OHM products to market.

29
SEP, 2023

MFNS Tech receives Illinois SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Programs funding

MFNS Tech has been awarded the IL SBIR/STTR matching fund to support the development of OHM Technology. The funding was awarded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), which provides matching funds to small businesses that have received federal SBIR/STTR Phase I awards. MFNS Tech is honored to receive this matching grant and it will be instrumental in helping in bridging us towards the SBIR/STTR Phase II award and also to accelerate our production and development efforts”.

03
AUG, 2023

OHM Media™ displays unparalleled performance over traditional filtration media

OHM Media™ stands as a remarkable breakthrough, showcasing unparalleled performance when compared to conventional filtration media such as walnut shell, granulated activated carbon, and others. Its revolutionary capabilities redefine filtration standards, offering efficiency and effectiveness that outshine the limitations of traditional methods. Embrace the future of filtration with OHM Media™ and experience a new era of advanced and superior results.

19
JUN, 2023

MFNS Tech plans to submit proposal for NSF SBIR Phase II award

As we continue our journey of innovation, we're thrilled to share that we're in the race for the prestigious NSF Phase II award. This coveted recognition would not only elevate our profile but also provide the resources needed to further refine our tech and expand its impact on a larger scale.

06
JUL, 20203

Raising seed round funding

A resounding vote of confidence in our vision as we proudly announce the raising for the seed round for driving towards greater milestones. With our venture firm - Good Growth Capital (GGC) as the lead, we are raising a seed round of over a million funding. This infusion of capital not only validates the potential of OHM technology but also empowers us to amplify our efforts.

23
MAY, 2023

OHM Media for filtering heavy metals

The research group led by our co-founder Prof. Vinayak Dravid has successfully developed a modified OHM Media that can filter our toxic metals like lead and cadmium from contaminated water. Preliminary experiments show that with one use, the OHM Media can remove heavy metal to below detectable levels.  

20
APR, 2023

OHM Sponge gets patent approval in India

Our global footprint expands with the recent approval of a patent in India. This milestone not only safeguards our intellectual property but also signifies the international recognition of our innovation, setting the stage for further growth and success.

10
APR, 2023

Illinois SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Programs announces matching fund award for MFNS Tech

Triumph on the innovation front! MFNS Tech efforts has been recognized with a boost by STTR Phase I Matching Programs matching program by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. This acknowledgement serves as a testament to the value our innovations bring to the region and motivates us to continue pushing boundaries.

14
MAR, 2023

MFNS secures seed investment to boost growth and commercialization

MFNS Tech has announced that it has successfully secured seed funding led by prominent venture capitalists- Good Growth Capital (GGC). The funding will allow the startup to expand its operations and accelerate its development.

09
MAR, 2023

MFNS Tech moves to new space at Northwestern InQbation space

Exciting times ahead as MFNS Tech takes a leap, settling into its innovative abode at Northwestern University InQbation space. This move will fuel our growth and inspire fresh waves of creativity as we embark on this new chapter.

14
FEB, 2023

EPA has approved OHM sponge under sorbent category

EPA has approved OHM sponge under sorbent category as per the requirements listed in the NCP (National Contingency Plan)  product schedule. As OHM sponge fulfills the sorbent category, it has the eligibility to be used as a response agent in any event of oil spill in water.

05
FEB, 2023

OHM media for cleaning FOG in wastewater at local food facility

MFNS is ready to tackle the challenge of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in wastewater with OHM media. A pilot test will be conducted at a local food facility to showcase the effectiveness of ohm in pretreating the wastewater before discharge to local streams.

03
DEC, 2022

MFNS Takes the Virtual Stage at the NSF 2022 Nanoscale Science and Engineering Grantee's Conference with a Poster Presentation.

The MFNS team attended the 2022 NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Grantee’s Conference, where they were given the opportunity to share the latest advancements and exciting results from their OHM product line. With the theme of "Nanotechnology for the environment, society, and workforce development," this conference was the perfect platform for MFNS to showcase their cutting-edge innovations and demonstrate their commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

Check out the poster here

15
NOV, 2022

A new formulation of OHM media for sequestering heavy metal developed

With the modulation in OHM coating, OHM media is now capable of sequestering heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Zn and Co from water.

04
NOV, 2022

OHM sponge selected by US Coast Guard for independent testing

The US Coast Guard has requested OHM sponge samples as part of their search for new and innovative Type I sorbents.

08
Oct, 2022

MFNS Tech in the semi-finals of Chicago Innovation awards 2022.

MFNS Tech has made the cut as one of the semi-finalists for the 21st annual Chicago Innovation Awards from a pool of 365 nominees! This prestigious award recognizes the most groundbreaking new products and services from across the Chicago region, encompassing all sizes, sectors, and industries of organizations.

12
SEPT, 2022

An OHM Sponge demo kit developed for outreach

MFNS takes a step forward in outreach efforts with the development of OHM sponge demo kits. These kits are designed to highlight the unique features of OHM sponge and raise awareness.

22
AUGUST, 2022

OHM Sponge Certified Safe for Oil Spills in California Waters by CDFW

The OHM sponge has passed the stringent evaluation of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with flying colors. The certificate attests to the safety of using the OHM sponge in any instance of oil spillage in California's waterways.

13
AUGUST, 2022

OHM sponge works on sheen too!

Sheen from oil is known to be almost impossible to remove from water by current methods. Recent trials showed that OHM sponge due to its unique features takes up all the traces of oil and does not leach back to the water.

22
JULY, 2022

Vinayak Dravid: Teaching an "Old" Dog "New" Tricks | TED Talk

Can environmental remediation technology be effective, efficient, eco-friendly and yet ergonomic and economic? Professor Vinayak Dravid and his research group at Northwestern University have embarked on this crusade to provide “nanoscale” solution to the “giga-ton” problem of water pollution.

13
JULY, 2022

Microplastics in Lake Michigan | WBEZ Chicago

Billions of tons of plastic waste are piling up in landfills and waterways around the globe. Over time, this waste breaks down into micro- and nanoplastics that are easily ingested by aquatic animals and even find their way into people’s bloods and organs.

18
JUNE, 2022

MFNS Tech participates in the 8-week I-Corps Virtual SBIR Beat-the-Odds Boot Camp.

The NSF STTR's Beat-the-Odds Boot Camp was an entrepreneurial training experience that utilized the customer discovery curriculum and methodologies employed in the highly-regarded NSF I-Corps™ Program.

15
JUNE, 2022

EPA warns toxic ‘forever chemicals’ more dangerous than once thought

The Environmental Protection Agency warned Wednesday that a group of human-made chemicals found in the drinking water, cosmetics and food packaging used by millions of Americans poses a greater danger to human health than regulators previously thought.

15
JUNE, 2022

EPA warns that even tiny amounts of chemicals found in drinking water pose risks

The Environmental Protection Agency is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds found in drinking water pose health risks even at levels so low they cannot currently be detected.

15
JUNE, 2022

EPA finds no safe level for two toxic 'forever chemicals,' found in many U.S. water systems

The Environmental Protection Agency stunned scientists and local officials across the country on Wednesday by releasing new health advisories for toxic "forever chemicals" known to be in thousands of U.S. drinking water systems, impacting potentially millions of people.

15
JUNE, 2022

EPA issues health advisory for "forever chemicals" in drinking water

The Environmental Protection Agency released a new health advisory Wednesday for pervasive industrial "forever chemicals" in drinking water.

11
MAY, 2022

Kickstart: The iPod is dead; long live vinyl

Twenty years ago it looked like MP3 players would be the final nail in the coffin when it came to vinyl records after years of falling sales compared to cassette tapes and CDs.

10
MAY, 2022

How a sponge could help clean up microplastics in Chicago and the Great Lakes

Billions of tons of plastic waste are degrading in landfills and waterways around the world.

9
MAY, 2022

Northwestern researchers develop sponge to clean oil spills

Sponges similar to an ordinary kitchen or memory foam sponge may soon clean up oil spills, courtesy of Northwestern researchers.

7
MAY, 2022

Application of Nanotechnology [Sponge] #Shorts

With a sponge that looks like one you might find in your kitchen, Northwestern University researchers have discovered how to effectively clean up oil, microplastics and phosphate pollution.

26
APR, 2022

Novel sponge aids the cleaning of lakes and oceans

A new coating applied to sponges can collect oil, phosphates and microplastics from polluted waters.

25
APR, 2022

Microplastics are everywhere. These sponges could help capture them

As billions of tons of plastic waste have accumulated in the environment and the fragments keep getting smaller, microplastics are getting even harder to remove.

6
APR, 6

STTR Phase I: An Oleophilic Hydrophobic Magnetic (OHM) Sponge for Environmental Remediation

We are delighted to announce that MFNS has received a National Science Foundation SBIR/STTR Phase 1 award in collaboration with Northwestern University. Congratulations to our co-founders Vikas Nandwana who will serve as a principal investigator and Vinayak Dravid whose lab will provide scientific support and guidance. With this funding, we will develop an environmental remediation platform for oil spills and related contaminants in water bodies.

15
FEB, 2022

5 Top Waste Management Startups Oil & Gas Companies Should Watch in 2022

MFNS Tech has been selected among the top 5 startups to watch in 2022 (out of 500+ worldwide) in the clean tech sector.

31
JAN, 2022

Environmental Sustainability Award Winners Announced In Glenview

For a fourth year, the Village of Glenview is recognizing local organizations that take the lead with environmental stewardship, innovative best practices and community outreach.

21
DEC, 2021

Finalists Chosen for CRI’s Cohort 6

Vikas Nandwana (MFNS Tech) has been selected as a finalist in an elite deep tech accelerator program in US called Chain Reaction Innovation (CRI).

22
NOV, 2021

Cleaning Up the Environment with a Nanotechnology-Enabled Sponge

In this episode of the “Nano Matters” podcast, Vinayak Dravid, the Abraham Harris Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, describes how he and his team have developed a nanotechnology-enabled sponge that could be used to clean up the environment.

08
Nov, 2021

How to clean up an oil spill

Methods designed to remove oil from water can do more harm than good...


06
Oct, 2021

How we clean oil spills hasn't changed in decades. These scientists want to change that.

Researchers say reusable sponges that can sop up oil without absorbing water could make cleanup efforts more effective and more efficient.

15
Aug, 2021

MFNS Technology improves skimmer performance

OHM Skimmer Coating™ is a new coating material from MFNS. OHM Skimmer Coating™ can enhance the oil removal rate of belt skimmers while retaining the toughness of the belt. OHM Sponge Skimmer™ is a new belt skimmer which can clean Oil-Water emulsion/ Oil sheen with ease.

15
Jul, 2021

OHM Sponge featured in ohmsett gazette (Page 3)

The Ohmsett Gazette newsletter is bi-annual newsletter providing readers with articles of testing, research, and training activities at the Ohmsett facility.

04
Jun, 2021

MFNS Tech technology featured in fast company

A decade after Deepwater Horizon, we’re still cleaning up oil spills the same way. MFNS Tech promises solution of the decade old oil spill clean-up prolem.

01
Jun, 2021

Sponge platform soaks up phosphate from polluted waterways for reuse

MFNS co-founders Prof. Vinayak David and Dr. Vikas Nandwana develop new technology to cleanup phosphate from polluted water. Highlighted in major news outlets New Atlas, Anthropocene, Science daily, Daily mail, Azo cleantech, TMJ4.

05
May, 2021

OHM Sponge tested to work in cold artic conditions.

OHM Sponge was found to be highly effective in cleaning up oil even under very cold conditions.

12
Apr, 2021

MFNS working on oil skimmer belts with improved oil absorption capacity.

MFNS has developed a new coating for skimmer belt which dramatically improves the oil absorption capacity of the belt skimmers.

26
Mar, 2021

OHM Sponge passes OHMSETT test with flying colors !

Ohmsett is a national test facility that provides independent performance testing of oil spill response solutions.

22
Mar, 2021

MFNS team arrives at OHMSETT facility

MFNS team arrives at New Jersey to test the performance of OHM Sponge in real life conditions mimicking rough sea.

10
Mar, 2021

MFNS prepares for the OHMSETT test

MFNS team has been working towards producing large quantities of OHM Sponge via a highly scalable process. We are preparing hundreds of OHM Sponge sheets for large scale testing at OHMSETT facility.

23
Feb, 2021

MFNS collaborates with soil remediation company

MFNS team collaborated with a major soil remediation company to work on the cleaning oil from oil/soil/water mixture.

28
JAN, 2021

This sponge could be the future of cleaning up oil spills

A Northwestern University-led team created the “OHM sponge,” which is able to soak up 30 times its weight in oil and be reused up to several dozen times. The coating allows any regular sponge to be easily turned into an oil-cleaning "smart sponge."

10
Jan, 2021

MFNS expands into the produced water treatment market

MFNS is developing OHM membrane which can address efficient and economically viable solution to cleanup produced water.

18
Nov, 2020

McCormick Faculty Named Among Global ‘Highly Cited Researchers’

The annual list identifies researchers who demonstrated significant influence through the publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade.

30
OCT, 2020

Former GCOM CEO joins startup that could change the future of oil spill cleanups

The founder and former CEO of GCOM Software has joined a startup whose technology could change the way oil spills are cleaned up.

11
OCT, 2020

Waste management: ingenuity, mindset and working with nature

Human civilization has a waste problem, and it’s likely to get worse as population levels grow and a consumerist mentality becomes the global norm.

01
Oct, 2020

BBC News Day Interview

Interview starts at 18:58

29
SEPT, 2020

Robots and magnetic soap: scientists rethink oil spill clean-ups

“As long as fossil fuels are still in circulation, there will always be oil spills,” said Dravid. “We wanted to create a technology which can make cleaning oil spillages much easier and, more importantly, much cleaner and safer for the environment.”

30
AUG, 2020

Future of Cleaning Oil Spills Looks to Robots, Wood Chips and Sponges

Recent oil spills in Russia and Mauritius have shown that the industry still needs better methods for cleaning up accidents. Researchers are working on some unlikely-sounding solutions, including oil-absorbing wood chips, a solar-powered robot and a reusable sponge.

21
June, 2020

Game-Changing New Smart Sponge Soaks Up Oil Spills, Saving Water And Wildlife

A team from Northwestern University has developed a highly porous smart sponge that can selectively soak up oil spills in water. With an ability to absorb more than 30 times its weight in oil...

05
June, 2020

OHM sponge could clean up oil spills

A team funded by the National Science Foundation has developed a porous OHM sponge that selectively soaks up oil in water...

03
June, 2020

Low-cost polyurethane sponge cleans oil spills

The words “sponges” and “cleanup” might evoke dirty dishes and kitchen duty. But to a team of materials scientists, they are the inspiration for a way to remediate aquatic oil spills.

02
June, 2020

Massive Sponge Created To Soak Up Oil Spills In The Ocean

A new ‘smart sponge’ designed to clean up oil spills in the ocean has been developed at Northwestern University, Illinois in the U.S....

28
May, 2020

OHM sponge could clean up oil spills

The Northwestern solution bypasses these challenges by selectively absorbing oil and leaving clean water and unaffected marine life behind. The secret lies in a nanocomposite coating...

28
May, 2020

Reusable sponge soaks up spilled oil, not water

Although we've seen many materials designed for removing oil spills from water, many of them are single-use, ultimately ending up in landfills. Now, however, scientists have created an oil-absorbing sponge that can be used over and over again....

01
SEP, 2024

Industrial Copper Treatment Pilot Successful!

 The MFNS Team paired up with a customer who needed drop in copper remediation. Unable to utilize Ion exchange resin or Reverse osmosis technologies due to infrastructure costs and zero discharge requirements MFNS provided and economic drop in media solution (Our Magnetic Nano Structure media!) that successfully replaced a competing product for an 8-month contract! 

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