Real-time Monitor to Detect Waterborne Contaminants

This SBIR Phase I project will develop a solution to real-time monitoring of contaminants at specific nodes in the water use cycle. The company will employ a proven sensor technology, the quartz crystal microbalance, to detect chemical and biological contaminants. The quartz crystal microbalance uses chemical receptors to bind target contaminants, either individual species or in groups. Quansor has developed chemical receptors for a wide range of inorganic (especially mercury and arsenic) pesticides and nerve agents and biologicals. The system to be developed will use 2 quartz balances operating in a parallel fashion. It will address potential problems of fouling and other interferences. The project will develop the means to overcome that problem and enable monitors to operate in surface and ground waters. The broader/commercial impact of the project will be the removal of contaminants from the water supply. Ninety million Americans are exposed to some level of arsenic and mercury in their tap water from public supplies. The project will optimize the cost efficiency and other environmental impacts on the effectiveness of treatment options to ensure a high level of arsenic removal.