Keisuke Ikehata, Ph.D., an associate professor of civil engineering at Texas State University, has been awarded a prestigious grant from the American Chemical Society (ACS) for his innovative research on sustainable nitrate recovery.
The Principal Investigator Development in Sustainability grant supports Ikehata’s project, “Circular Nitrate Recovery via Ion Exchange, Electrochemical Separation-Concentration, and Crystallization, with Application in Vertical Farming.” The project focuses on transforming how nitrate contamination is managed in water systems by treating it as a valuable resource rather than waste.
Established by the ACS as part of its broader Campaign for a Sustainable Future, the grant program advances chemistry-driven solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It provides funding for researchers to pursue sabbatical experiences that foster cross-disciplinary and cross-sector collaboration.
As part of the award, Ikehata will conduct his sabbatical research at Kyoto University in Japan and Mälardalen University in Sweden, where he will collaborate with international experts to further develop sustainable water treatment technologies.
Nitrate contamination remains a widespread issue in groundwater and potable reuse systems, according to Ikehata’s project. Conventional treatment methods often convert nitrate into nitrogen gas or generate costly waste streams. Ikehata’s research introduces a circular, resource-recovery approach that integrates nitrate-selective ion exchange, electrochemical separation, and crystallization to produce reusable fertilizer products.
By closing material loops, this process reduces chemical consumption, lowers energy demand, and minimizes waste generation. The work also creates new opportunities to link water treatment systems with sustainable agricultural practices, including applications in vertical farming.
Ikehata’s research exemplifies TXST’s commitment to advancing innovation that addresses global sustainability challenges while fostering impactful international collaboration.