Shifting Infrastructure: Decentralized Treatment

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 Will envisions a future in which the concept of wastewater is obsolete, thanks to advances in recycling.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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Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: ​​William Abraham Tarpeh

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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

Connect With Us:

Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon

Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

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