Market Assessment for Next-Generation Hydrological Sensor Technology

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Fresh water is a natural resource essential to the global biosphere, and no less important to the well being of a nation's citizens. Ensuring access to clean water for all is one of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015. Canada benefits from an unusually enviable wealth in fresh water, with Canadian rivers discharging over 9% of the world's fresh water. Detailed and accurate hydrological data is essential for all stakeholders to take optimal decisions that safeguard fresh water and those dependent upon it. Despite it's recognized importance, water quality is insufficiently measured in space and time due to the cost of hydrological monitoring that limits the possibilities of continuous monitoring at fine geographical resolution. Deficiencies in water quality monitoring can be overcome by increasing the accessibility of ion sensing tools. The core objective of this work is to conduct a market assessment as to whether the graphene ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) technology developed in Prof. Szkopek's laboratory can fill an important void in water quality monitoring technology. This project is a partnership with Prof. Szkopek and Prof. Yargeau in the Faculty of Engineering at McGill University, bringing together expertise in advanced electronic materials and devices along with expertise in control of contaminants of concern in water. Experimental work to date in a controlled laboratory environment suggests that the graphene ISFET has promising characteristics. A market assessment is an important first step for establishing the commercial viability of the technology.