Compact chemical sensor for real-time environmental monitoring of contaminants in water

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Oxford HighQ is a spinout from the University of Oxford's Departments of Materials and Chemistry that is developing next-generation chemical and nanoparticle sensors. Our core technology of optical microcavities provides fundamental enhancement of signal strength that will offer a step change in fluid-based sensing across a wide range of applications and markets. The company was incorporated in October 2017 building on 10 years of research within the University.This Innovate UK project will provide support for the construction and field-testing of four miniaturised remote autonomous total phosphate sensors for environmental monitoring in rivers and lakes. A parallel R&D programme will advance the technology to provide greater breadth of analytical targets, allowing the technology to speciate and quantify an array of pollutants in water supplies -- a key challenge for environmental regulatory authorities, water supply companies, and researchers.If successful, this project will provide a low-cost, portable, real-time method for speciating and quantifying pollutants in natural waterways, allowing targeted intervention, reducing capital expenditure and operating costs for water companies. This device would then act as a platform from which we can target emerging contaminants of concern, including pesticides, herbicides, and pharmaceutical contaminants in water supplies.