Deep sea microfluidic sensors

深海微流体传感器

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-03999
• 负责人: Sieben, Vincent
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: Dalhousie University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=751656
• 关键词: Deep; sea; microfluidic; sensors

The ocean, like many aquatic environments, is presently under-sampled both spatially (3D) and temporally (+1D) due to current approaches to data gathering. The current practice of sending manned missions to sea will not scale very well if we are to observe, characterize and intervene on important problems in the ocean. Unmanned water vehicles, or marine drones, offer the ability to perform remote sampling and characterization in 4D for both a) rapid response and b) large-scale persistent networks. However, equipping these marine vehicles with biogeochemical sensing capabilities is challenging since commercially available sensors are: 1) too large, 2) too expensive and 3) too energy demanding. A step-change in sensing approach is required to provide ocean chemistry and microbiology data from global observation networks. In this proposal, the utilization of microfluidic systems and lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices will be explored for transforming current practices in acquiring ocean biogeochemical observations. Inexpensive and versatile LOC sensors will allow us to quickly, effectively, and accurately monitor ocean biogeochemistry over a wide range of deployment scenarios and across an array of locations. These microfabricated systems combine a wide-range of technologies and often integrate optics, flow control, and electronics. Microfluidic platforms naturally lend themselves toward lower reagent and power consumption, as well as reduced physical size. However, most microfluidic systems are designed for standard pressure and temperature ranges. Very few lab-on-chip systems have been designed with the intention of deployment in the deep ocean. The focus of this research program will be on creating the key microfabricated components to permit deep-ocean deployment of LOC devices. These horizontal enablers will permit several biogeochemical measurements and will unlock a scalable strategy for remote monitoring of the ocean interior. Specific outcomes will include: 1) nutrient analyzers for monitoring anthropogenic activities that have had drastic effects on the coastal ocean and climate, 2) marine microbe sensors for early-detection of harmful algal species to safeguard aquaculture investments and livelihoods, and 3) online sensors for corrosion monitoring of subsea energy production and transportation infrastructure. The developed microsensors will be integrated with autonomous water vehicles, like Argo floats and similar distributed networks, providing remote feedback on ocean chemistry and microbiology. Innovative in-situ sensors will enable us to safeguard human health, advance our knowledge of marine microbial/chemical processes, and be made aware of environmental issues before they are harmful and costly to remediate.

海洋和许多水生环境一样，由于目前的数据收集方法，目前在空间(3D)和时间(+1D)上都采样不足。如果我们要观察、描述和干预海洋中的重要问题，目前向海洋派遣载人飞行任务的做法将不会有很好的规模。无人水上航行器，或海洋无人机，提供了在4D中执行远程采样和表征的能力，以a)快速反应和b)大规模持久网络。然而，为这些海洋航行器配备生物地球化学传感能力是具有挑战性的，因为商业上可用的传感器：1)太大，2)太贵，3)太耗能。为了从全球观测网络提供海洋化学和微生物学数据，需要改变传感方法。在这项提案中，将探索利用微流控系统和芯片上实验室(LOC)设备来改变目前获取海洋生物地球化学观测的做法。廉价而多功能的LOC传感器将使我们能够在广泛的部署方案和一系列地点快速、有效和准确地监测海洋生物地球化学。这些微细加工系统结合了广泛的技术，通常集成了光学、流量控制和电子技术。微流控平台自然有助于降低试剂和功耗，以及减小物理尺寸。然而，大多数微流控系统是为标准压力和温度范围设计的。很少有芯片实验室系统是为了在深海中部署而设计的。这项研究计划的重点将是制造关键的微制造部件，以实现LOC设备的深海部署。这些水平推进器将允许进行几次生物地球化学测量，并将开启一项可扩展的海洋内部远程监测战略。具体成果将包括：1)营养分析器，用于监测对沿海海洋和气候产生重大影响的人为活动；2)海洋微生物传感器，用于早期发现有害藻类物种，以保护水产养殖投资和生计；3)在线传感器，用于海底能源生产和运输基础设施的腐蚀监测。开发的微型传感器将与自动水上交通工具集成，如Argo浮标和类似的分布式网络，提供关于海洋化学和微生物学的远程反馈。创新的现场传感器将使我们能够保障人类健康，增进我们对海洋微生物/化学过程的了解，并在环境问题造成危害和补救成本之前使其意识到这些问题。