Breakthrough in Water Quality Monitoring: Researchers Introduce Low-Cost Portable Sensor

Breakthrough in Water Quality Monitoring: Researchers Introduce Low-Cost Portable Sensor

(IN BRIEF) Researchers from the University of York, Phutung Research Institute in Nepal, and the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil have developed realtimeWAS, an innovative, low-cost, portable sensor for real-time detection of bacterial contamination in drinking water. This handheld device, which meets WHO standards, is designed for easy public use and is set to revolutionize water quality monitoring, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Supported by the University of York and additional funding from the Optica Foundation and the World Academy of Sciences, the team’s work, published in Optica, highlights plans to further miniaturize the device for enhanced portability and impact on public health.

(PRESS RELEASE) YORK, 9-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a significant scientific advancement, a team of researchers has unveiled a revolutionary water sensor designed to detect bacterial contamination in real time, offering a promising solution to improve drinking water safety globally.

The innovative fluorescence detection system, which eschews the need for traditional lenses, demonstrates highly sensitive detection capabilities for deadly microorganisms in drinking water. This technology is being adapted into a lensless, dip-in handheld device, poised to benefit communities reliant on traditional natural stone spouts, such as those in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The accompanying image showcases the fluorescence detection system (right) and its handheld counterpart (left), with Kathmandu Valley in the background. Credit: Rijan Maharjan, Ashim Dhakal, Phutung Research Institute.

Collaboration and Potential

This groundbreaking project is a collaborative effort between the University of York, Phutung Research Institute in Nepal, and the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. The team emphasizes that this device could be instrumental in low and middle-income countries, offering an effective and affordable method for monitoring water quality and preventing waterborne diseases.

For years, organizations like UNICEF have been in search of innovative, user-friendly water testing solutions to detect fecal contamination. The newly developed device, named realtimeWAS (Water Assessment System), stands out for its cost-effectiveness, portability, and ease of use, requiring minimal training for the general public.

Technical Specifications and Impact

The realtimeWAS device, compact and comparable in size to a sandwich box, detects fluorescent proteins indicative of bacterial presence, meeting WHO criteria for detecting deadly microorganisms in drinking water. Such microorganisms are responsible for nearly one million deaths annually in developing countries.

The project’s success is attributed to the support from the University of York and Professor Thomas Krauss’ research group. After the initial funding from the UK Global Challenges Research Fund was terminated, the University of York’s backing was crucial in bringing the realtimeWAS device to fruition.

Expert Insights

Ashim Dhakal, Director of the Phutung Research Institute in Kathmandu, Nepal, highlighted the limitations of current microbial contamination assessment methods, which are time-consuming and impractical for immediate needs like drinking, bathing, or washing dishes. These methods are also unsuitable for resource-limited settings, contributing to ineffective water surveillance in developing countries.

Dhakal noted, “Our long-term project has been focused on finding real-time, portable, low-cost solutions that are practical. The potential applications of realtimeWAS are vast, from life-saving assessments of drinking water to monitoring water quality during events like the Paris Olympics.”

Future Developments

The team’s latest research, published in the flagship journal Optica, outlines plans to develop an even smaller, more affordable pocket-sized device for field testing. Professor Thomas Krauss of the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology at the University of York, expressed excitement about the device’s potential, stating, “This pocket-sized sensor could be a game-changer. Achieving such high performance with low-cost components required solving fundamental physics questions. Our collaboration with Nepalese colleagues has been immensely rewarding, and we look forward to advancing with a patent application to aid in commercializing the sensor.”

The project received additional funding from the Optica Foundation’s Challenge Prize and the World Academy of Sciences, ensuring continued progress towards making this vital technology widely available.

Media Contact:

Alistair Keely
Head of Media Relations
Tel: +44 (0)1904 322153
alistair.keely@york.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of York