01 / 08
Water Innovation

Removing
Microplastics
from Water.

DEPure uses dielectrophoresis — electric field gradients — to concentrate and remove microplastic particles from water continuously, without membranes, chemicals, or moving parts.

150kHz
Operating
frequency
16Vpp
Applied
voltage
TCD
Research
partner
DEPure Electric Filtration
The Problem
Microplastics are
in everything we drink.

Current filtration methods cannot remove particles below 10 µm reliably. Membranes clog, chemicals add cost, and centrifugation requires energy-intensive infrastructure. There is no scalable, affordable solution.

8M+
Tonnes of plastic entering the ocean every year
80%
Of global drinking water samples contain detectable microplastics
€0
Viable cost-effective solutions at industrial scale today
Global Microplastic Contamination Trend
Estimated particles per litre in surface water, 2000–2030
Current Filtration Method Limitations
Comparative cost per m³ treated vs. removal efficiency
The Technology
Dielectrophoresis.
Reimagined.

DEP is the force exerted on polarisable particles in a non-uniform electric field. We tune frequency and voltage to selectively concentrate microplastics — the field does the work, not filters.

01
Water enters the DEP channel

Contaminated flow passes over laser-scribed FTO glass with interdigitated electrode geometry

02
AC field creates gradient force

Alternating current between electrode fingers generates a field gradient — strongest at finger edges

03
Particles concentrate laterally

DEP force deflects microplastics sideways into a collection chamber while water flows forward

04
Clean water exits continuously

Clarified water exits the main channel. Particles are flushed periodically to waste — no downtime

IN →
→ OUT
Substrate
FTO Glass
Frequency
150 kHz – 5 MHz
Voltage
15 – 20 Vpp
Electrode
Interdigitated
Proof of Concept
Demonstrated at
Trinity College Dublin.

DEP concentration of polyethylene microplastics confirmed across multiple frequencies and water types. Visible water clarification observed within minutes under laboratory conditions.

💧
Visible
Water Clarification
White suspension cleared to transparency within minutes — naked eye observable, no microscopy required
5 MHz
Frequency Range Mapped
DEP behaviour characterised across 150 kHz to 5 MHz — pDEP concentration, crossover, and banding all observed
🔬
40 µm
Particle Size Targeted
Polyethylene beads reliably concentrated in both tap water and distilled water conditions
DEP Response vs. Frequency — Polyethylene in Water
Relative particle concentration at electrode (normalised). Positive = pDEP trapping. Negative = nDEP repulsion.
Tap water
Distilled water
Market Opportunity
Industrial first.
Then the world.

Pharmaceutical and municipal water treatment represent immediate high-value entry points. Consumer filtration follows once industrial performance is demonstrated.

Phase 1 · Now
Industrial Water Treatment
Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities requiring microplastic-free process water. Regulatory compliance pull. High value per unit.
€12B+
Phase 2 · 2–4 Years
Municipal Water Utilities
National water authorities facing EU microplastic regulation. Scalable modular deployment. Long-term infrastructure contracts.
€180B+
Phase 3 · 4–7 Years
Consumer Filtration
Point-of-use filtration for households and public access. Mass market product with high social impact.
€800B+
Water Treatment Market Size
Global market by segment (€ billions)
Industrial target: Pharmaceutical facilities like Wuxi Biologics process up to 15,000 m³/day. A single DEPure installation represents a multi-million euro contract opportunity.
Traction
Early momentum
across key stakeholders.
2024
Trinity College Dublin collaboration secured
Formal research project established with full laboratory access at Ireland's leading university
Early 2025
Proof of concept demonstrated
Visible microplastic removal confirmed at Trinity. Naked-eye water clarification within minutes
2025
DEPure Ltd incorporated
Company registered in Ireland — structured for investment and IP protection
2025
Greenpeace engagement
International environmental organisation expressed active interest in the technology
2025
Wuxi Biologics meeting
VP of Manufacturing at €18B pharma company toured facility — requested working prototype
Now
Applications to Uisce Éireann & RTE Brainstorm
National water utility and national broadcaster both engaged with DEPure
Trinity College Dublin
Research Institution · Formal Collaboration
Active Research Partner
Wuxi Biologics
€18B Pharmaceutical Manufacturer · Dundalk
Prototype Interest
Greenpeace
International Environmental Organisation
Expression of Interest
Uisce Éireann
National Water Utility · Innovation Fund Application
Application Submitted
Stakeholder Engagement Score
Weighted by strategic value, 0–10
The Investment
€75,000 to build
the flow prototype.
Use of Funds
€1M
Pre-money valuation
5–7.5%
Equity offered
Seed
Round stage
5%
Equity for €50,000
Direct stake in DEPure Ltd at €1M pre-money valuation. Early entry into a technology with global water treatment potential.
What this builds
A continuous flow DEP system with laser-scribed FTO electrodes, demonstrating measurable microplastic removal at >1 L/min throughput — the key milestone for Series A and industrial pilot contracts.
DEPure · depure.ie

Cleaner water
through better science.

We have demonstrated the effect. Now we build the system. Join DEPure at the start of something that scales globally.

In formal research collaboration with Trinity College Dublin · DEPure Ltd, Ireland · 2025