Originally published in Nature, a scientific paper led by a Colorado State University-based team announced massive strides in technology that can be used to break down perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or forever chemicals. These compounds, which damage natural environments and are almost impossible to break down or destroy, are now one step closer to being removed from the environment. Chemistry professor Garret Miyake explained that what makes these compounds forever molecules is that nature can’t break them down. The carbon-fluorine bonds within the molecules render them especially difficult to break. Currently, scientists use harsh and expensive methods such as incineration to destroy these molecules. Miyake’s research has identified a more viable method for breaking them down. “We developed a photocatalyst, which is a molecule that can use energy from light and work at room temperature to break these bonds and then ultimately degrade PFAS molecule...