MEMS Sensor for Metal-Ion Detection in Water

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Aquatic Life Ltd. is focused on the development and design of remote real time water quality monitoring systems specializing in Drinking Water, Surface Water, Ground Water, Industrial Water and Waste Water. They wish to expand their product offerings by developing technologies for measuring heavy metal ions inside water. Two well known methods for measuring metallic compounds in water are Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). However, the equipment is bulky, power consuming, and expensive. For portable on-site measurement, anodic stripping voltammetry is a common method used. However, continual monitoring is not available, since electrodes should be disposed of after each measurement. Therefore, there is need for a sensor capable of precise and continuous determination of heavy metal ions in water.This project will investigate and develop MEMS based sensors that undergo change in mechanical resonance or microstructure stress, based on adsorption of metal-ions. Sensors will be designed to measure lead and copper which are two major metal contaminations. The project will include finite element modelling of MEMS structures, exploring candidate coating materials for metal ion adsorption, and the their effect on the mechanical properties of the MEMS structures. Candidate designs will be fabricated and tested.The development of a portable and non-disposable metal ion sensor will enable time-effective and cost-effective monitoring techniques. Updating Aquatic Life's equipment with metal ion detection will enable Aquatic Life to expand its business capability, and will enable low cost continual monitoring techniques for Canadian water resources.