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Research to purify drinking water of “forever chemicals” has earned UMass Amherst and the UMass-alumna-founded company, Aclarity, the 2025 Better World Project Award from AUTM, a nonprofit that supports the translation of academic research into products, services and start-ups. 

The winning project is based on research by David Reckhow, research professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Julie Bliss Mullen, who conducted her graduate research under Reckhow’s direction at UMass Amherst. 

An increasing body of research has demonstrated that PFAS exposure is harmful to human health. These substances have been referred to as “forever chemicals” for their ability to persist in the environment, including in drinking water supplies. To address this, Reckhow and Mullen developed an electrochemical treatment capable of permanently destroying PFAS. From this work, Mullen founded Aclarity, a company that eliminates PFAS from water on an industrial scale. 

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“Julie has set a great example of how fundamental university research can quickly translate to groundbreaking commercial products,” says Reckhow. “UMass in particular is becoming known as an effective incubator of new environmental technologies, and Julie has helped lead the way.”

“We are delighted and thrilled to see Aclarity receive this prestigious award,” said Burnley Jaklevic, director of the Technology Transfer Office, in a press release from AUTM announcing the award. “It is exciting to see UMass researchers take a lab concept to a fully commercialized product that is making an impact in the world.”

The award was determined by public vote, recognizing the technology’s significant impact on global water quality. The announcement was made at the AUTM Annual Meeting March 2-5, 2025, where industry leaders gathered to celebrate excellence in innovation and leadership.