SBIR Phase II: A low-cost real-time bio-electrochemical nitrate sensor for surface water monitoring

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目将继续开发用于地表水监测的低成本实时生物电化学硝酸盐传感器，最初作为NSF SBIR第一阶段项目资助。在第一阶段，Cambrian Innovation展示了生物电化学传感器用于测量水样中硝酸盐水平的可行性。在最初的原理验证之后，开发并测试了一个微型传感器原型。二期项目将继续开发生物电化学硝酸盐传感器，以达到低于1 mg-N/L的检测水平，并稳定部署6个月。第二阶段的开发将优化传感器结构和操作条件，以提高性能，并开发一种持久的微生物生长基质。第二阶段还将包括设计和建造原型电子元件，包括用于解释生物电化学电池发出的信号的信号处理算法。最后，传感器性能将在受控条件下通过广泛的实验室测试进行验证，然后开始现场测试。在第二阶段完成后，Cambrian将准备在第二阶段项目中最终开发和测试第一代硝酸盐传感器系统。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力解决了环境氮管理，这是21世纪世纪社会面临的最紧迫的问题之一。由于缺氧死区和鱼类种群下降，水道的硝酸盐污染已成为一个备受瞩目的话题。这种环境影响的很大一部分是农业径流造成的（美国地质勘探局，国土资源部，2000年）。由于缺乏持续监测环境中硝酸盐的成本效益高的技术，限制了对硝酸盐污染的监管、监测、执法和补救的需要。与此同时，精确农业的推动力不仅受到环境问题的推动，而且还受到通过仔细控制营养添加可以获得的作物产量和质量的显着改善的推动。低成本实时硝酸盐传感器的开发将改变农业设施的管理，从而大大提高农业生产效率和食品生产行业的环境影响。Cambrian Innovation正在开发一种生物电化学硝酸盐传感器，以满足这一未满足的需求，并建立环境传感的新范式。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will continue the development of a low-cost real-time bio-electrochemical nitrate sensor for surface water monitoring initially funded as an NSF SBIR Phase I project. In Phase I, Cambrian Innovation demonstrated the feasibility of a bio-electrochemical sensor for measuring the level of nitrate in a water sample. Following the initial proof-of-principle, a microscale sensor prototype was developed and tested. The Phase II project will continue the development of the bio-electrochemical nitrate sensor to reach a detection level of less than 1 mg-N/L with a stable deployment of 6 months. Phase II development will optimize the sensor architecture and operational conditions for improved performance and develop a long-lasting substrate for microbial growth. Phase II will also include the design and construction of prototype electronic components, including the signal processing algorithm for interpreting the signal emitted by the bio-electrochemical cell. Finally, the sensor performance will be validated by extensive laboratory testing under controlled conditions followed by the initiation of field testing. Upon Phase II completion, Cambrian will be prepared for final development and testing of a first-generation nitrate sensor system in a Phase IIB project. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project addresses environmental nitrogen management, one of the most pressing issues facing society in the 21st century. Nitrate contamination of waterways has become a high profile topic due to anoxic dead zones and drops in fish populations. A significant portion of this environmental impact has been attributed to agricultural run-off (USGS, DOI, 2000). The need for regulation, monitoring, enforcement, and remediation of nitrate pollution is limited by a lack of cost-effective technology for continuous monitoring of nitrate in the environment. Simultaneously, an increased thrust in precision agriculture has been fueled not only by environmental concerns but also by the dramatic improvements in crop yield and quality that can be obtained through careful control of nutrient addition. The development of a low-cost real-time nitrate sensor will transform the management of agricultural facilities, resulting in dramatic improvements in fertilizing efficiency and the environmental impact of the food production industry. Cambrian Innovation is developing a bioelectrochemical nitrate sensor to fill this unmet need and establish a new paradigm in environmental sensing.