Siilion, Inc — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 17a

Description

inhibits utilities’ ability to deploy a network of such sensors. What is needed is the development of an integrated water sensor package that is low cost, rapidly deployable, wireless, and self-powered, that can relay real time relevant insitu water measurements. Ideally, such hardware would simultaneously monitor multiple water quality factors and contaminants at a reduced overall cost. How this problem is being addressed: Sporian proposes to heavily leverage its mature water quality monitoring sensor and sensor system technology/hardware, which includes many of the needed water quality sensor types, and extend the sensing capability of the systems to include heavy metal contamination (RCRA 8s) through the use of Imprinted Polymer (IP) based detection materials/schemes. Done in Phase I: In Phase I Sporian: successfully prepared, optimized, and characterized IP systems for the RCRA heavy metal mercury; evaluated IP film fabrication methodologies; experimentally evaluated/demonstrated IP signaling performance with lab scale optical sensor system hardware; developed revised total sensor system hardware and electronics architectures; and worked with industry stakeholders to foster technology transition. Planned for the Phase II project. The Phase II effort will focus on: continued collaboration with industry stakeholders; adding additional sensors for RCRA 8 contaminants utilizing the newly developed IP materials; and realizing and testing (lab and field scale) integrated multi sensor water quality monitoring systems that meets current and future industry needs. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The proposed technology will support reducing or maintaining the water use footprint in the energy sector, providing low cost to deploy, reliable, real time, measurement based data for water management. Such a technology will be highly attractive for broad application within energy, industrial/agricultural, and civilian drinking water and wastewater