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In October, chemical engineer Will Tarpeh was awarded a 2025 MacArthur “Genius Grant” in recognition of his pioneering work to turn wastewater into a source of valuable materials. Will envisions a future in which the concept of wastewater is obsolete, thanks to advances in recycling. A couple of years ago, we sat down to talk with him about this work, and we hope you’ll take another listen today to learn more about the research Will is doing to transform the potential of wastewater into resources.
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Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces Will Tarpeh, a professor of chemical engineering at Stanford University.
(00:03:01) Wastewater as a Modern Mine
How elements like nitrogen and phosphorus can be recovered from waste.
(00:04:15) Path to Sanitation Research
Will shares what led to his interest in studying wastewater.
(00:06:55) The Science of Separation
The electrochemical and material techniques to extract valuable compounds.
(00:08:37) Urine-Based Fertilizer
How human urine could meet up to 30% of global fertilizer needs.
(00:11:08) Drugs in Wastewater
The potential of reclaiming pharmaceuticals from waste streams.
(00:14:14) Decentralized Sanitation
Opportunities for neighborhood or household-scale treatment systems.
(00:16:48) Source Separation Systems
How dividing waste at the source improves recycling and recovery.
(00:18:56) Global Sanitation Challenges
Ways that developing countries can adopt modern waste solutions.
(00:23:51) Preventing Algal Blooms
The systems that are helping to reduce nutrient pollution and dead zones.
(00:27:16) The Urine Summit
A community advancing urine recycling and sustainable sanitation policy.
(00:28:43) Conclusion
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