A University of Bonn team created a washing-machine filter inspired by fish gill arches that removed over 99% of microplastic fibers in lab tests, according to a study in Emerging Contaminants. The project, backed by a $161,000 ERC grant in early 2024, uses gill-like geometry to divert fibers without clogging and can be integrated into machines and emptied every few dozen washes. Patent applications are underway in Germany and at the EU level, and researchers recommend reducing fast-fashion consumption to cut microplastic release while the device is adopted.
Fish-Inspired Filter Removes Over 99% Of Microplastic Fibers From Washing-Machine Wastewater
Sometimes the best engineering solutions come from nature. Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a washing-machine filter modeled on fish gill arches that removed over 99% of microplastic fibers in laboratory tests, according to a study published in Emerging Contaminants.
How the Filter Works
The design copies the geometry of gill arches used by some fish to funnel plankton into the gullet while letting water flow out without clogging. In prototype tests, that fish-inspired geometry diverts and collects fibers from laundry wastewater while maintaining clear flow through the system.
Researcher Leandra Hamann said the team found a combination of parameters that enables the filter to separate more than 99 percent of microplastics from water without becoming blocked.
Funding, Patents and Practical Use
The project has been in development for several years and received $161,000 from the European Research Council in early 2024 to advance the concept. The team has begun filing patent applications in Germany and is working toward EU-level protection.
The group says the component can be integrated into household machines, is simple to operate, and can be emptied by users every few dozen washes. Collected fibers can be disposed of with general household waste, according to the researchers.
Why This Matters
To put the potential impact in context: a washing machine used by a family of four can release up to about 500 grams of microplastic fibers per year. Much of that material can accumulate in sewage sludge that is later applied to fields as fertilizer and can enter the food chain and the wider environment.
Microplastics are still under study, but scientists have raised concerns about possible effects on gut health, reproduction, and other outcomes, with some studies noting potential associations with cancer risk. Their microscopic size helps them spread widely through ecosystems, posing risks to wildlife and marine life.
Interim Steps for Consumers
Until the filter is widely available, researchers recommend reducing microplastic shedding at the source. Practical actions include buying fewer synthetic garments and avoiding fast-fashion items that shed more fibers. Washing clothes in full loads, using gentler cycles, and using textile-friendly detergents can also reduce fiber loss.
The University of Bonn team says the fish-inspired filter could be an inexpensive and practical way to cut a major source of microplastic pollution once manufacturers adopt the design.
