Se busca incrementar la cantidad de recursos humanos para las actividades de investigación y desarrollo a través de la formación de investigadores en Biomateriales en las mejores universidades del mundo. El título del proyecto de tesis es: "Reduction of perfluorooctanesulfonate and perfluoroctanoic acid by synthesized activated carbon-supported bimetals" Resumen: We are working to develop a novel in-situ technology to remove Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from groundwater. PFASs are persistants chemicals that cannot be degraded under environmental conditions. In an effort to get our goals, we are collaborating with Harvard University under the supervision of Dr. Chad Vecitis (an environmental nanotechnology specialist). PFASs have been detected in various environmental and biological matrices including groundwater. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and other perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are terminal microbial metabolites of PFAS precursors and are a concern in groundwater particularly at military sites. Remediation technologies with in-situ potential are needed to manage the large PFAA plumes. We are evaluating activated carbon (AC) supported bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) due to their exceptional high specific surface area, high catalytic activity, chemical stability, and potential for use in-situ. AC will also aid in reducing mobility of PFAAs through sorptive processes as they undergo reductive transformation. Well dispersed AC-supported bimetallic NPs using a combination of Ni, Fe, Cu, Pd, and Mg will be synthesized.