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Published on: September 19, 2017
Validation of a fully autonomous phosphate analyser based on a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip
1CLARITY: Centre for Sensor Web Technologies, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland. conor.slater@dcu.ie
Summary
A novel microfluidic phosphate analyser offers automated, long-term water quality monitoring. This self-calibrating and self-cleaning system demonstrates performance comparable to commercial monitors.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Phosphate monitoring is crucial for water quality assessment.
- Existing methods can be labor-intensive and require frequent calibration.
- Need for automated, reliable, and long-term monitoring solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and validate a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip phosphate analyser.
- To assess the system's self-calibration, self-cleaning, and long-term operational capabilities.
- To compare the analyser's performance against a commercial phosphate monitor.
Main Methods:
- Development of an integrated microfluidic system incorporating chemical storage, pumping, and electronics.
- Benchtop calibration using standard phosphate solutions.
- Field testing and comparison with a commercial phosphate monitor at a wastewater treatment plant.
Main Results:
- The microfluidic analyser demonstrated sensitivity and linear range comparable to a commercial monitor.
- The system proved capable of self-calibration and self-cleaning for extended operation.
- Successful long-term deployment and performance validation in a real-world wastewater treatment setting.
Conclusions:
- The designed microfluidic lab-on-a-chip analyser provides a viable, automated solution for phosphate monitoring.
- The system's self-maintenance features enable reliable, long-term water quality analysis.
- This technology offers a promising alternative for environmental and industrial phosphate monitoring applications.
