Chemical Sensor-Modulated Transistors for Water Treatment Performance Monitoring

The growing scarcity of potable water is increasing pressure on public health, the environment, and the economy, intensifying the clear and present need to advance water recycling and reclamation technologies. To that end, the EPA and has announced the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP). Annual spending on water reuse is $1.8 billion, expected to increase by ~30% by 2027. As the water reuse market grows, the market for recycling/reclamation performance monitoring or sensing will grow with it. Water recycling removes contaminants, regulated chemicals, and disinfection byproducts from reclaimed water for both potable and non-potable applications. Therefore, rapid, selective, and sensitive sensing platforms are urgently needed to monitor the performance of the water reuse technologies. Our proposed sensor system integrates mature sensor chemistry with off-the-shelf electronics into multiplexed, sensitive, and selective sensors to monitor contaminants in water. Technical feasibility will be demonstrated in Phase I through sensor optimization and prototype fabrication. We anticipate transferring the technology to an established licensing partner in Phase II. By advancing the state of the art of sensing systems, we will advance water treatment performance monitoring, leading to full implementation of WRAP. The benefits will be the protection of public health by sensing and removing contaminants, protection of the environment by reducing water consumption through efficient and secure recycling, and ecosystem restoration with recycled water.