Applications: Remediation

SAMMS can be used with a low-cost, proprietary lixiviant for remediation of mercury-contaminated soils and sediments. The lixiviant desorbs a wide range of mercury species from soils and sediments. The lixiviant can then be treated by SAMMS and reused.

Applications: Waste stabilization

By mixing the SAMMS powder with wastes such as non-liquid sludges and soils, the metal is stabilized in SAMMS whenever the wastes are leached by rainwater or other acidic groundwater (as a result of enzymatic reactions), thus stabilizing these wastes to comply with regulations. In situ stabilization with SAMMS may be cost effective, efficient, and timely, especially for large-volume wastes in ponds and ditches. Although the metal-loaded SAMMS can control metal solubility to meet Universal Treatment Standards, it also can be easily stabilized for years into apatites that exist in nature by simply immersing these materials in an aqueous mixture of phosphoric acids and calcium hydroxides.

Applications: Water treatment

SAMMS materials can be used in cartridges for portable water treatment systems for offices, hospitals, and homes. 3M Corporation has tested a SAMMS-impregnated membrane cartridge using 3M's patented EmporelTM membrane. The performance of these membranes is equivalent to the powdered form of the materials. Filtration membranes and separation columns for large municipal and industrial water treatment and desalination facilities are possible.

Applications: Metal finishing

SAMMS can recover individual metals from sludge and reduce the amount of sludge generated. It also can be used in plating tanks to keep the ion concentration in the appropriate range for the plating process to work. Of additional benefit is its ability to remove chelated metals to reduce hazardous waste disposal volume.

SAMMS applications for metal finishing include use as a final polishing step and point-of-use removal step on cleaning and bath tanks.

Applications: Catalysis, Sensor and Controlled Release

Catalysis

The high population density of the surface function groups on SAMMS permits uniform binding, at a molecular level, of specific metals including (but not limited to) platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, and combinations thereof, resulting in high-capacity, high-activity catalysts for low-temperature industrial applications.

Sensors

Concepts for SAMMS' applications include their use as the "collection" system in a sensor. Again, design of the binding site allows the development of selective applications. The high population density of the surface function groups on SAMMS permits uniform binding, at a molecular level, of specific metals including (but not limited to) platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, and combinations thereof, resulting in high-capacity, high-activity catalysts for low-temperature industrial applications.

Controlled release

SAMMS is being developed into a form that can deliver agricultural agents, such as pheromones, in a sustained, timed fashion.