Building the first scalable systems to combat the emergent microplastic crisis

PolyGone was co-founded in 2021 by Princeton Grads and Forbes 30 Under 30 fellows Nathaniel Banks & Yidian Liu in response to the global inaction in addressing escalating microplastic contamination levels. Specifically, the duo noted that while systems exist for the collection and recycling for large plastic items, none exist for intercepting, collecting and recycling microplastics. PolyGone was formed to bridge this gap by developing and deploying critical infrastructure for microplastic interception and recovery.

Interdisciplinary by nature, PolyGone’s team consists of a mix of designers, engineers, material scientists and chemistry specialists, all working with a shared goal to rid the world of microplastic contaminants.

Speed Over Perfection

Each day, trillions of new microplastics continue to infiltrate the world’s waters, escalating a crisis that demands immediate action.

At PolyGone, we refuse to let innovation sit in a lab for decades. Our ethos is simple: build, test, iterate, and deploy. Real-world challenges require real-world solutions, and we move at record speed to refine our systems where they matter most; in the field. A perfect solution might take 30 years in a lab, but an imperfect one can be piloted, optimized, and perfected in three.

This fast paced, iterative approach led us to launch the world’s first microplastic removal pilot within two years of our founding. Now, we’re taking the next step by deploying commercial grade systems in 2026.

Meet the Team


  • Co-founder & CEO

    Nathaniel Banks is the Co-Founder of PolyGone Systems and a Forbes 30 Under 30 fellow. He has extensive experience in developing systems for microplastic monitoring and removal, including co-inventing the company’s proprietary filtration media. Since 2021, Nathaniel has led the company’s tech development, including overseeing the design, fabrication, and launch of the world’s first microplastics removal pilot from water treatment in 2024.

    Nathaniel holds a Bachelors in Architecture from Syracuse University, a diploma in Urban Geography from UCL, and a Masters in Architecture from Princeton University. Previously, he has worked for some of the world’s top design practices including David Chipperfield Architects, Zaha Hadid Architects and Grant Associates, where his projects ranged from digital conceptualization to construction and fabrication.


  • Co-founder & COO

    Yidian Liu is the Co-founder and COO of PolyGone Systems, Inc. and a Forbes 30 under 30 Fellow. Yidian oversees company operations, resource accrual, and team management. Since 2021, Yidian has secured over $2.4 million in state and federal financing for PolyGone from organizations including NJCSIT, NJEDA, the NSF, and NOAA.

    Yidian is a trained designer  with a Master’s degree in Architecture from Princeton University and a Bachelor’s from Syracuse University. She has represented PolyGone as a keynote speaker at sustainability-focused events such as NYC Circular City Week, Delaware Water Congress, and Shenzhen/Hong Kong Bi-city Biennale.


  • Senior Mechanical Engineer

    Brant serves as the Senior Mechanical Engineer at PolyGone, where he leads design efforts to develop production and integration methods for industrial applications of microplastic removal. Brant joins PolyGone with over five years of experience in electro-mechanical design of marine sensing equipment, he holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a M.S. in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Johns Hopkins University. His expertise in design and fabrication coupled with his graduate research in water management and analytical hydrology contributes to innovative water technology solutions.


  • Lead Scientist

    Yueyu Yao serves as the Lead Scientist at PolyGone, where she spearheads efforts to optimize water sample analysis protocols and leads innovative research on enhancing filter design. She holds a B.A. in Biochemistry from Smith College and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University. During her graduate research, she pioneered green synthesis routes for semiconductor quantum dots, a notable achievement that highlights her commitment to sustainable scientific advancements. With a strong interdisciplinary background at the intersection of chemical biology and material science, she continues to contribute to innovative solutions in environmental technologies.


  • Electrical Engineer

    Ariel holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Princeton University. During her time there, she gained experience in bio-inspired and soft robotics, with additional work in machine learning, swarm robotics, and neuroscience. Her interdisciplinary background, coupled with her interest in marine and freshwater environments, led her to join Polygone, where she is working to develop electrical and mechanical solutions to aid in microplastics collection.


  • Mechanical Engineer

    Zachary is a recent University of Maryland graduate with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, along with minors in Computer Science and Robotics and Autonomous Systems. His background spans rapid prototyping, design ideation, and robotics, with hands-on experience developing medical sorting robots and multi-robot swarm systems through his work at the Maryland Robotics Center. Zac also brings practical manufacturing expertise from his time at UMD’s Design & Manufacturing Lab, where he worked with external clients to bring concepts to physical prototypes. As a Mechanical Engineer at Polygone, he contributes a strong technical foundation and a passion for building innovative, real-world solutions.

  • Material Scientist

    Hanning Jiang serves as the Material Scientist at PolyGone, where she works with the R&D team on designing new filter materials and optimizing water sample analysis methods.

    Hanning earned her B.S. in chemistry from Purdue University in 2021, focusing on analytical chemistry. Passionate about sustainability research, she completed her Ph.D. in chemistry at Princeton University with a specialization in polymer chemistry. During her doctoral research, she developed multiple recycling and upcycling strategies for challenging real-world plastic wastes, particularly polystyrene and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC).


  • Media and Operations Specialist

    An Wan is a Media and Operations Specialist at PolyGone Systems, where she manages the company’s communications and outreach while supporting day-to-day corporate operations. She holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Tsinghua University and brings cross-sector experience spanning media, non-profit, and corporate roles, including an internship with the UN Environment Programme. Driven by a long-standing commitment to environmental protection, An combines strategic storytelling with operational expertise to amplify PolyGone’s impact.


  • Lead Fabricator

    Charles serves as the Lead Fabricator at PolyGone, where he oversees the operation of the company’s prototyping and assembly space, managing procurement and fabrication, ensuring quality control, and leading system assembly and installation. Charles joins PolyGone with over ten years of experience in metal fabrication, he holds a B.A. in Sculpture from Pratt Institute and has previously worked/fabricated  works for: Socrates Sculpture Park, SculptureCenter, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Academy of Natural Sciences. His expertise in fabrication and installation coupled with his interest in sustainable solutions to environmental pollution and global health contributes to innovations in water treatment design.


  • Advisor

    Nicolette (“Nico”) van Exel is the Founder of Exel Impact, advancing leadership, innovation, and funding for the blue economy. With 20+ years of experience spanning executive Sustainability roles at Fortune 500 companies and grassroots work with frontline communities across Asia, Africa, and India, she brings a unique perspective on the connections between business, finance, and economic development. Nico began her career in human rights, including leading supply chain sustainability initiatives for global consumer brands and serving as CEO of an organization combating human trafficking. She advises climate startups and serves on the board of a social services agency.


  • Science Advisor

    Tae Seok Moon, Ph.D. is a professor at J. Craig Venter Institute in the synthetic biology group. Prior or joining JCVI, he was a professor at Washington University in St. Louis in the McKelvey School of Engineering. His research goals are to understand and engineer biological networks that genes and cellular processes use to solve energy, environmental, agricultural, and health problems. He has a broad background in systems and synthetic biology, with expertise in the development of engineered cells for practical applications.


  • Advisor

    Andrew White is the President of Comptus, a New Hampshire manufacturer and seller of commercial environmental sensors and controls. Prior to acquiring Comptus in 2012, his career
    included extensive experience in human resources in privately held, equity funded and fortune 50 companies. His work has taken him to the aviation, building automation, retail, printing, and
    manufacturing industries, where he has deployed his skills from senior leadership down to the production floor.


  • Mechanical Engineer

    Tyler is a recent Rutgers University graduate with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. His knowledge of fluid dynamics and mechanical systems has supported his work in rapid prototyping, student-level design consulting, and tooling/fixture design to aerospace standards. As a Mechanical Engineer, Tyler brings a strong skill set, a passion for problem-solving, and a fresh perspective to the Polygone team.


  • Microplastics Lab Analyst

    Jeremy serves as a Lab Analyst at PolyGone, where he supports microplastic collection and water sample analysis, as well as the development and improvement of filter design. He earned both his B.A. and M.A. from Wesleyan University. During his time there, he conducted research on the synthesis of strained molecules to investigate novel polymers with new properties, aiming to advance more sustainable and renewable materials. With hands-on experience in a polymer chemistry lab, Jeremy brings strong analytical and technical expertise to his work in environmental sustainability.

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