Optofluidic sensor for online monitoring of bacteria in drinking water (Projecet name: OSMOB)

• Forschungsstelle: INNOSUISSE
• Projektnummer: 13298.1;4 PFFLR-NM
• Projekttitel Englisch: Optofluidic sensor for online monitoring of bacteria in drinking water (Projecet name: OSMOB)

Kurzbeschreibung (Deutsch)

Optofluidic sensor for online monitoring of bacteria in drinking water (Projecet name: OSMOB)

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

Optofluidic sensor for online monitoring of bacteria in drinking water (Projecet name: OSMOB)

Abstract (Deutsch)

This project aims at developing a sensor for continuous monitoring of viable bacteria present in drinking water. The technology is based on flow cytometry, but using novel and lower cost concepts for fluidics and for optical excitation and detection, as well as innovative signal processing electronics. The sensor is integrated in an instrument that includes all necessary microfluidic functions to prepare the water sample and to treat it with the adequate DNA staining procedure to fluorescently label the bacteria. Our state-of-the-art system is completely autonomous, compact and designed to be used in water purification plants, reservoirs and distribution networks. Today such a measurement takes at least 24 hours, thank to our technology this delay is reduces to only 20 min, resulting in a higher safety for the consumer.

Abstract (Englisch)

This project aims at developing a sensor for continuous monitoring of viable bacteria present in drinking water. The technology is based on flow cytometry, but using novel and lower cost concepts for fluidics and for optical excitation and detection, as well as innovative signal processing electronics. The sensor is integrated in an instrument that includes all necessary microfluidic functions to prepare the water sample and to treat it with the adequate DNA staining procedure to fluorescently label the bacteria. Our state-of-the-art system is completely autonomous, compact and designed to be used in water purification plants, reservoirs and distribution networks. Today such a measurement takes at least 24 hours, thank to our technology this delay is reduces to only 20 min, resulting in a higher safety for the consumer.