Podcast Summary:

The Digital Executive – “Restructuring Water to Destroy PFAS: Gene Dedick on Breaking Chemical Barriers and Building Healthier Futures”
Episode 1114 | September 18, 2025 | Host: Brian Thomas (Coruzant Technologies) | Guest: Gene Dedick

Episode Overview

This episode features Gene Dedick, a seasoned water research and industrial chemical systems expert, discussing a groundbreaking method for permanently destroying PFAS—commonly known as "forever chemicals"—in water. The conversation explores how restructured water, specifically hydrated electrons, is used to break down stubborn pollutants at the molecular level, the economic and technical advantages of this technology, and its broader implications for public health, environmental remediation, and future water treatment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins of the Innovation & the “Aha” Moment

• Gene Dedick’s company, H2Plus, was initially focused on desalination and membrane technology for water purification (01:35).
• Their pivot into PFAS destruction came unexpectedly during university collaborations. Gene admits he initially had little knowledge of PFAS:

  “To be very candid, Brian, I thought pfas, what the heck is a pfa? I wouldn’t have known what one was if it came up and bit me on the hindquarters.” – Gene Dedick [01:47]

• Fast self-education and bench testing showed promising results; a deep-dive into relevant research revealed the crucial role of hydrated electrons (02:21).
• A pivotal moment:

  “I read a 2004 article...it stated...when you add excess electrons to water, you create hydrated electrons. That’s when I realized this is what we were doing. And the diamond bullet went through my brain...” – Gene Dedick [02:37]

2. Mechanism of Hydrated Electrons in PFAS Destruction

• The H2Plus process is an “advanced reducing process”, not oxidation (03:34).
• Technology overview:
  • Generates an energy-rich gas infused with electrons; diffused into contaminated water.
  • Disrupts hydrogen bonds between water molecules, creating a less structured local environment.
  • Hydrated electrons are then stabilized in this disrupted matrix, giving them time to encounter and break the carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS (04:02).
• Memorable analogy:

  “That movie, the Incredibles...the guy running down the ramp...all those black balls start sticking to him...these hydrated electrons...have a very short life. So we have to overcome that challenge.” – Gene Dedick [04:21]

• Comparison to sodium: hydrated electrons offer more reduction potential (−2.9V vs. −2.7V for sodium), with rapid reaction rates in the pico- to femtoseconds range (06:15).
• Key advantage:

  “We get a Disney fast pass around the things in the water that...oxidizing, and we focus on...the reducible contaminants like PFAS.” – Gene Dedick [07:11]

• The technology can exploit certain contaminants as beneficial, not just obstacles (07:30).

3. Cost Model and Operational Advantages

• Single-step process: significantly reduces capital and operational expenses versus multi-stage methods (08:56).
• Energy use:

  “We utilize 0.0167 kilowatts per gallon treated...about 0.2 cents per gallon at 13 cents per kilowatt hour...” – Gene Dedick [09:23]

• Small footprint: 40-foot unit can process ~50 gallons/minute, and treated water is often immediately safe for municipal treatment systems (09:50).
• No chemical additions required—a significant benefit for safety and environmental impact (11:09).

4. Broader Impact and Adaptability

• PFAS is pervasive—found in food, water, soil, and even inside living organisms (11:31).
• Example statistics:

  “A steak...has 4,000 parts per trillion of PFAS per kg... Fish...400 parts per trillion...” – Gene Dedick [12:02]

• Emerging contaminants:
  • Trihalomethanes/trihaloacetic acids (formed when disinfectants interact with natural organics in water).
  • Pharmaceutical and personal care products (like triclosan, a hormone disruptor).
  • Pesticides, phenols, and micropollutants (13:41).
• The hydrated electron approach’s versatility: can destroy complex chemical rings via “nucleophilic attack,” breaking persistent organic pollutants.
• Notable health-related research:
  • H2Plus water increased ATP (cellular energy) by 25% in equine muscle tissue, validated through university studies.
  • Live horse trials showed improved VO2 max and endurance with treated water (14:51–15:36).

  “We increased ATP by 25%...the same horses concluded a 6.5 increase in VO2 max...ran 2 minutes 19 seconds longer at the same speed...” – Gene Dedick [14:58]

• Dedick’s vision: target as many chemical “hydra heads” as possible, but acknowledges it’s a collective, ongoing challenge (15:59).

5. Personal Philosophy & Team Recognition

• Dedick highlights the mission-driven nature of his work:

  “When I close my eyes, Brian, at the end of my [life]...I tried to help the people around me and future generations...” – Gene Dedick [17:18]

• He credits his team and scientific predecessors for the breakthrough (17:56).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the serendipity of scientific discovery:

  “The diamond bullet went through my brain and made the connection.” – Gene Dedick [02:37]

• On the science behind hydrated electrons:

  “If you’ve ever taken sodium metal and thrown it in the water, the explosion is violent. Well, these things are more powerful, but they're very small...” – Gene Dedick [06:07]

• On the health implications & responsibility:

  “Four days without water, you’re dead. Four days without food...but the water thing is crucial. It causes all kinds of consequences very quickly.” – Gene Dedick [17:32]

• On collective scientific progress:

  “It’s not just me. I'm nobody. It’s my team that helped us get here so we could do these things...” – Gene Dedick [17:56]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Gene’s “Aha” moment & discovery – [01:35–02:53]
• How hydrated electrons destroy PFAS – [03:33–08:00]
• Cost, efficiency, and no-chemical operations – [08:56–11:13]
• Broader environmental impact & future applications – [11:31–15:36]
• ATP study, health benefits, & philosophy – [14:51–17:56]

Tone & Style

Gene Dedick blends technical insight with relatable analogies, humility, and passion. The conversation is scientific yet accessible, earnest, and future-focused, driven by a clear vision to improve human and planetary health through innovative engineering.

For more details and technical data, listeners are encouraged to reach out directly to H2Plus via their company website.