PFI:AIR - RA: Enabling Low-cost, Real-time Monitoring of Heavy Metal Ions in Drinking Water

这个PFI: AIR研究联盟项目的重点是翻译和转移一种低成本和实时的重金属离子检测技术，该技术来源于水设备和政策（WEP） I/UCRC的专业知识和基于石墨烯的水传感的发现。该技术具有对水中重金属离子的快速响应和高灵敏度，能够在线连续检测，为公共和私人供水系统中的重金属污染提供预警。在这个市场空间中，与领先的竞争方法，光谱和电化学相比，这些功能具有以下优势：原位和实时检测（未满足的需求），低成本和小型化。实时电子重金属离子检测技术具有重要的意义，因为它可以实现对重金属离子污染的连续水质监测，降低健康风险，并确保清洁和安全的供水。学生和博士后将通过传感器原型创新平台以及学生创业挑战和设计企业家展示项目等现有创业资源的实践培训，获得创业和技术翻译经验。该项目解决了以下技术差距，因为它从研究发现转化为商业应用。迫切需要准确和可获得的检测技术，以确保持续的水质控制和早期预警能力，以避免公共安全灾难。目前的水中重金属离子检测方法往往过于昂贵或不适合原位和实时检测。所提出的新型内联微型电子传感器优于现有的水测试方法，并且易于实现，消除了与当前实践相关的许多缺点。该项目旨在展示水表、净水器和手持设备的全功能原型，这些设备使用基于石墨烯的平台集成了水中重金属离子的实时传感器。将创建的创新生态系统包括a.o. Smith， Badger Meter和NanoAffix Science LLC.这些研究合作伙伴和第三方投资者将帮助将新的传感器集成到他们现有的产品（净水器和水表）和新的手持设备中，并探索传感器制造问题，将技术推向市场。预计潜在的经济影响将是增强商业竞争力，扩大市场空间，增加市场份额，为合作伙伴公司带来更多利润，创造新的就业机会，并在未来三到五年内促进经济增长。

This PFI: AIR Research Alliance project focuses on the translation and transfer of a low-cost and real-time heavy metal ion detection technology, derived from Water Equipment and Policy (WEP) I/UCRC expertise and discoveries in graphene-based water sensing. The technology has the following market-valued features: rapid response and high sensitivity to heavy metal ions in water, and capable of inline continuous detection to provide early-warning for heavy metal contamination in public and private water supplies. When compared to the leading competing methods, spectroscopic and electrochemical, in this market space, these features provide the following advantages: in-situ and real-time detection (an unmet need), low cost, and miniaturization. The real-time electronic heavy metal ion detection technology is important because it enables the continuous water quality monitoring for heavy metal ion contamination, mitigates health risks, and ensures a clean and safe water supply. Students and postdoctoral fellows will gain entrepreneurial and technology translation experience through hands-on training on the sensor prototyping innovation platform and a number of existing entrepreneurship resources such as Student Startup Challenge and Design Entrepreneur Showcase programs.This project addresses the following technology gaps as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application. There is a strong need for accurate and accessible detection technologies to ensure continuous water quality control and early warning capabilities to avoid public safety catastrophes. Current detection methods for aqueous heavy metal ions are often too expensive or unsuitable for in-situ and real-time detection. The proposed novel, inline micro-sized electronic sensor outperforms existing water testing methods and is simple to implement, eliminating many of the disadvantages associated with current practices. The project aims to demonstrate fully-functioning prototypes of water meters, water purifiers, and handheld devices integrated with real-time sensors for heavy metal ions in water using a graphene-based platform. The innovation ecosystem that will be created includes A. O. Smith, Badger Meter, and NanoAffix Science LLC. These research partners and third-party investors will help integrate the new sensor into their existing products (water purifiers and water meters) and new handheld devices, and explore sensor manufacturing issues to bring the technology to the market place. The potential economic impact is expected to be more commercial competitiveness, expanded market space, increased market share, more profits for partner companies, new job creation, and enhanced economic growth in the next three to five years.