RDX (Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) is a widely used explosive in military munitions and the defense industry. Its production and use have led to the contamination of soils, groundwater, and lakes, as RDX is chemically stable and difficult to degrade. Prolonged exposure to this compound has been associated with adverse health effects, including toxicity to organs such as the liver and kidneys, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies it as a potential carcinogen. Due to its persistence in the environment and associated health risks, there is an urgent need to develop effective, sustainable, and low-cost remediation strategies to remove RDX from contaminated ecosystems.
As part of our journey, our team’s initial cycle developed the first prototype of our solution. Since then, subsequent cycles have continuously optimized and refined this design, reflecting the evolution of our prototypes over the years.
[1] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2012, Sep.). Toxicological Profile for RDX [Online]. Available: National Priorities List (NPL)
[2] Cary, T. J., Rylott, E. L., Zhang, L., Routsong, R. M., Palazzo, A. J., Strand, S. E., & Bruce, N. C. (2021, May 3). Field trial demonstrating phytoremediation of the military explosive RDX by XPLA/XPLB-expressing switchgrass. Nature News. Global Map
[3] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (2014, Jan.). Technical Fact Sheet – Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) [Online]. Available: EPA RDX Fact Sheet
