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

SBIR第二阶段：用于地表水监测的低成本实时生物电化学硝酸盐传感器

• 批准号: 1230363
• 负责人: Justin Buck
• 金额: $ 46.58万
• 依托单位: Cambrian Innovation Inc
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-08-15 至 2017-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1230363&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; II; low; cost

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.

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）二期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，该项目最初是由NSF SBIR一期项目资助的。在第一阶段，寒武纪创新公司展示了一种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，达到1 mg-N/L以下的检测水平，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，并为微生物生长开发持久的基质。第二阶段还将包括原型电子元件的设计和构建，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，传感器的性能将在受控条件下通过广泛的实验室测试进行验证，然后进行现场测试。在第二阶段完成后，寒武纪将准备在第三阶段项目中进行第一代硝酸盐传感器系统的最终开发和测试。该项目的广泛影响/商业潜力解决了环境氮管理，这是21世纪社会面临的最紧迫问题之一。由于缺氧死区和鱼类数量下降，水道的硝酸盐污染已成为一个备受关注的话题。这种环境影响的很大一部分归因于农业径流（美国地质勘探局，DOI, 2000）。由于缺乏持续监测环境中硝酸盐的成本效益技术，对硝酸盐污染的监管、监测、执行和补救的需求受到限制。与此同时，精准农业的发展不仅受到环境问题的推动，而且还受到通过精心控制营养添加可以获得的作物产量和质量的显著提高的推动。低成本实时硝酸盐传感器的开发将改变农业设施的管理，从而大大提高施肥效率和食品生产工业的环境影响。寒武纪创新公司正在开发一种生物电化学硝酸盐传感器，以填补这一未满足的需求，并建立一个新的环境传感范式。