Hybrid nanosensor for screening dispersed nanoparticles and heavy metal ions in natural waters.

SUMMARY1。该项目将采用预先验证的流动电池系统中基于微制造硅片的Pt/Hg电极装置，该装置目前用于筛选纳米颗粒分散体的生物膜活性，并将其应用于水中重金属离子的高通量测定。技术工作将包括调整流动系统和装置的电化学编程，以适应重金属离子：Zn2+， Cd2+， Pb2+和Cu2+伏安测定。随后对天然水体中这些金属离子的检出限、灵敏度和干扰进行了评价。纳米粒子和重金属离子筛选的应用将集成在一个混合装置中。2. 它将如何告知我们的理解：-性能的全面特征将使我们准确了解设备的功能，这在与潜在许可方谈判协议时非常重要。它将如何帮助我们制定我们预期的后续项目的战略和执行：一种混合设备将大大加强现有的IP并提高其市场潜力。将开始与潜在的被许可方讨论该设备商业化的最佳途径，并将为此寻求进一步的资金，最有可能从欧盟FP7中获得。探索者基金将使传感装置的纳米颗粒和重金属筛选能力达到TRL 3，达到欧盟FP7 /后续基金的应用水平。欧盟FP7/Follow On基金将通过以下方式将该技术带入TRL 5: a)通过开发微流体系统简化已验证的传感设备；b)配置计算机程序以自动分析和分析数据；c)充分表征以下不同应用中的性能；d)将传感潜力扩大到可行的领域，如空气采样。影响概述混合纳米传感器将直接有利于以下方面：-(a)水工业筛选工程金属氧化物和重金属离子饮用水和河水。其中一个主要的应用将是引入这项技术作为在不同净化阶段的饮用水中存在这些物质的常规测试。随着纳米材料在水处理中的应用，这将变得越来越重要。(b)海洋机构筛选海水中的工程纳米颗粒和重金属离子，并评估其可能的毒性。NERC通过普利茅斯海洋实验室资助了1985-2001年这项技术发展的科学基础。(c)安全和防御，以检测城市大气和饮用水中是否存在有毒的NP和重金属离子。这是9/11后世界的一个关键增长领域，尽管这个市场主要是由美国公司推动的。(d)制药公司筛选新的生物纳米材料的生物膜活性。制药公司通常使用细胞培养程序来测定生物相容性。目前提出的技术已经证明了测量生物纳米材料（如肽生物纳米材料）膜活性的原理，比“传统”方法更快、更便宜。(e)生物材料制造，以测试新制造材料的生物膜相容性，特别是在纳米尺度上。NERC已经“启动”资助了使用旧技术来观察工程纳米颗粒生物活性的提议者。(f)消费品：联合利华和宝洁公司将感兴趣。使用这种传感器不仅可以帮助他们设计出更好的产品，还可以帮助他们更好地了解原位活动的化学性质。(g)保健：拟议的传感器将提供一种快速筛选用于保健的制剂的手段。

SUMMARY1. The work to be undertaken:-This project will take a pre-validated device of a microfabricated silicon wafer based Pt/Hg electrode in flow cell system which currently screens the biomembrane activity of nanoparticle dispersions and apply it to the high throughput determination of heavy metal ions in water. The technical work will consist of adjusting the flow system and electrochemical programming of the device to accommodate heavy metal ion : Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ voltammetric determinations. Subsequently the detection limits, sensitivities and interferences in the determination of these metal ions in natural waters will be evaluated. Both the nanoparticle and heavy metal ion screening applications will be integrated and combined in a hybrid device. 2. How it will inform our understanding:-A comprehensive characterisation of the performance will give us an exact understanding of the capabilities of the device which is very important when negotiating agreements with potential licensees.3. How it will help shape our strategy for, and execution of, our anticipated Follow-On project:-A hybrid device will greatly strengthen the existing IP and enhance its marketable potential. Discussions will be begun with a potential licensee on the best pathway to commercialisation of the device and further funds will be sought for this most probably from EU FP7. The pathfinder fund will bring the nanoparticle and heavy metal screening capability of the sensing device to TRL 3 which is at the level of application for EU FP7 /Follow-On funds. The EU FP7/Follow On funds will take the technology to TRL 5 by a) streamlining the validated sensing device by developing microfluidic systems, b) configuring computer programmes for automating the analysis and analysing data c) fully characterising the performance in the different applications listed below and d) widening the sensing potential to feasible areas like air sampling.IMPACT SUMMARYThe hybrid nanosensor will be of direct benefit to the following:-(a) Water industry for screening engineered metal oxide and heavy metal ions drinking waters and river waters. One of the major applications would be to introduce this technology as a routine test for the presence of these materials in drinking waters at various stages of purification. This will become increasingly important with the use of nanosized materials in water treatment. (b) Marine agencies to screen engineered nanoparticle and heavy metal ions in seawater and assess their putative toxicity. NERC through Plymouth Marine Laboratory funded the science underlying this technology development 1985-2001.(c) Security and defence to detect presence of toxic NP and heavy metal ions in urban atmospheres and drinking waters. This is a key growth area in the post 9/11 world, although this market has chiefly been driven by US companies. (d) Pharmaceutical companies for screening biomembrane activity of new bionanomaterials. Pharmaceutical companies normally use cell culture procedures to assay biocompatibility. The proposed current technology has shown proof of principle to measure membrane activity of bionanomaterials e.g peptide bionanomaterials far more rapidly and cheaply than the "conventional" methods.(e) Biomaterials fabrication to test the biomembrane compatibility of newly fabricated materials especially at the nanometer dimension. NERC have already "start-up" funded the proposer using the older technology to look at the biological activity of engineered nanoparticles. (f) Consumer products: Unilever and Proctor and Gamble (P & G) would have an interest. Using a sensor like the one proposed would help them not only design better products, but would help them to better understand the chemistry of their activities in-situ.(g) Health care: The proposed sensor would offer a rapid means of screening preparations intended for applications in health care.