Next generation autonomous analytical platforms for remote environmental monitoring: Generation of fully functioning biomimetic analytical platforms for water quality

Abstract

The Advanced Technologies for Water Resource Management (ATWARM) scientific programme involves 16 Marie Curie Fellows working on the performance and/or sustainability of water and wastewater treatment plants as well as on the development of novel advance technologies for analysis and monitoring of water quality. Increased demand for improved water management is a driving need for water quality monitoring systems with greatly improved price/performance characteristics. For a successful water treatment, rapid and reliable information on the sampling site are crucial. Furthermore, this information needs to be available in real time for any course of action to be implemented efficiently. In our laboratories, we believe that “Wireless Sensor Networks” is the key to obtain such monitoring capabilities. My project is focused on the development of novel chemo/bio-sensors based on functional materials integrated in micro-fluidic manifolds for environmental applications. These platforms should content a reliable sensing capability with low power wireless communication and remote control of the instrument status. In addition, the activity of the device, such as sampling, analysis, communication and power need to be integrated in the micro-fluidic platform. Special attention is given to the generation and control of liquid flow within the micro-channels using new materials that exhibit biomimetic behaviour [1]. I am using, in particular, stimuli-responsive gels that are of great interest as functional materials within micro-fluidic systems, since their actuation can be controlled remotely without physical contact (light or magnet), allowing for fast response times and versatility of fabrication. Up to now, I developed an optical sensor based on a wireless paired emitter detector diode device (PEDD) for colorimetric analysis of water quality integrated in a portable Lab-on-a-disc micro-fluidic platform. Its low power consumption, increasing spectral range coverage, excellent intensity and efficiency, small size, ease of fabrication and simplicity make PEDD a perfect optical detector for colorimetric assays [2]. In addition, the device is ideal for integration within micro-fluidic platforms based on the centrifugal Lab-on-a-Disc concept, in which detector integration is complicated due to the high rotation speeds typically used in this approach [3]. [1] F. Benito-Lopez, R. Byrne, A. M.Răduţă, N. E. Vrana, G. McGuinness, D. Diamond, Lab on a Chip, 10, 2010, pp. 195-201. [2] M. O’Toole, R. Shepherd, G. G. Wallace, D. Diamond, Anal. Chim. Acta, 652, 2009, pp. 308-314. [3] R. Gorkin, J. Park, J. Siegrist, M. Amasia, B. Lee, J. Park, J. Kim, H. Kim, M. Madou, Y. Cho, Lab Chip, 10, 2010, pp.1758-1773