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. The time to act isn’t in the future—it’s now.

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—bringing commercial solutions to market in 2025. The Poly Pod is just the beginning. Stay with us—there’s more to come.

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.


  • 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.


  • 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.


  • 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.

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