Project description
New lab-on-chip detects water hazards
Microbial pathogens, chemical contaminants and other hazardous agents may get access to drinking water and distribution systems, affecting the quality of the water and having an adverse impact on human health. Sensors are necessary to preserve water quality in distribution systems. Offering real-time data, they can alert and help prevent public health incidents. The EU-funded CENSE project has developed an all-in-one probe that combines five water quality monitoring sensors in one: temperature, turbidity, pressure, conductivity and chlorine. The chlorine sensor is based on a microfluidic lab-on-chip technology, which is affordable and much easier to handle. It can also withstand high pressures and challenging conditions. Feasibility studies show that uptake of the new probe will be large.
Objective
The CENSE Integral probe combines 5 water quality monitoring sensors in one: temperature, turbidity, pressure, conductivity and chlorine. The chlorine sensor developed by the CENSE team is a brand-new technology based on a microfluidic lab-on-chip. This new technology is far more affordable than the more standard colorimetric and amperometric methods; it is also much less hazardous to handle and can withstand high pressures and challenging conditions. Installation costs are low and the time taken to replace an amperometric sensor with the Integral probe is minimal. EFS listened to and answered the needs of its customers – there has been a lot of demand for a high-performance low-cost chlorine sensor within the drinking water sector. The feasibility studies have shown that uptake of the new probe will be large, and its release is much anticipated. EFS have already gained trust within the drinking water sector, thanks to the success of their previous water probes. Sales will be made via direct sales and indirect sales, through EFS’ extensive distributor network. The team working on CENSE are experienced and have brought multiple water probes and water sensing technologies from lab to market already. The new technology will be rolled out initially in France, Germany, Italy Spain and the UK. France was chosen to be the kick-off point for several reasons: first of all EFS is based in France and has a strong network there, and secondly France is home to several global market leaders in drinking water provision: VEOLIA, AQUALTER and SUEZ, to name a few. From year 3 the product will be launched in the rest of the EU with a global launch beginning year 5.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processes
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesmicrotechnologylab on a chip
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryhalogens
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME - SME instrumentCoordinator
69700 Montagny
France
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.