Florida’s 3D Printing Project Against Algal Blooms: FAU Develops Retrievable Phosphate Adsorbers

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) regularly burden lakes and freshwater systems in Florida. A common driver is excess nutrients from fertilizer runoff, wastewater, and urban stormwater. Phosphorus in particular plays a key role: when phosphate levels rise, algal growth can quickly escalate, trigger oxygen depletion, and—depending on the species—release toxic substances. For water managers, this means costly countermeasures and a narrow time window for effective intervention.

The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is receiving US$600,379 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for a related technology project. The two-year project period begins in April 2026 and is part of a statewide investment package of more than US$112 million for water quality and water supply, which also includes funding for new HAB mitigation approaches.

“We are profoundly grateful to Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for their ongoing commitment to safeguarding Florida’s environment and water quality,” said FAU President Adam Hasner. “Their vision and leadership have enabled Florida Atlantic to accelerate the development of technologies that protect communities, preserve ecosystems, and strengthen the state’s resilience. This grant is a testament to the importance of scientific innovation and the power of strategic partnerships in addressing water challenges that impact every Floridian.”

The focus is a 3D-printing approach for phosphate adsorbers. Masoud Jahandar Lashaki’s team builds on earlier work in which biomass from algal events was converted into activated carbon and then modified with lanthanum. Lanthanum can stably bind phosphate by forming the mineral rhabdophane, thereby removing the nutrient from the cycle. What’s new is transferring the powders into mechanically robust, 3D-printed structures designed with defined porosity, flow-through behavior, and retrievability. This is intended to allow the adsorbers to remain in the water body without disappearing as fine material into the sediment; after loading, removal, regeneration, or recycling is planned. Looking ahead, the team also mentions combinations—for example, lanthanum for phosphate plus activated carbon for organic trace contaminants, or ion exchangers for nitrogen.

“We are extremely proud of Professor Lashaki and his colleagues for their pioneering work and their dedication to advancing environmental engineering solutions that have both regional and global significance,” said  Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “The innovation emerging from our college reflects Florida Atlantic’s strong commitment to research excellence, impact and meaningful service to our state and supports Florida’s long-term vision of safeguarding its waterways for future generations.”

“I am deeply honored that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has entrusted our team with this important responsibility,” said Lashaki. “Harmful algal blooms continue to pose a serious threat to our state’s ecosystems and communities, and we are committed to advancing technologies that can meaningfully reduce phosphorus levels in vulnerable water bodies. This funding allows us to take a major step forward by developing 3D-printed structures that offer both scientific innovation and practical, real-world application. We are proud to contribute to Florida’s leadership in protecting its waters.”

The components are to be tested in several ponds on the Boca Raton campus. “Deeply honored,” Lashaki calls the funding, and announces the goal of measurably reducing phosphorus levels in polluted waters. Whether the concept holds up in practice will depend on service life, fouling behavior, hydraulic throughput, and reproducible print quality.