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Hand-Held Monitor for On-Site Detection of Heavy Metals in Water Using Microfabricated Detector Chips--Eltron Research, Inc., 5660 Airport Blvd., Boulder, CO 80301-2340; 303-440-8008
Dr. Michael T. Carter, Principal Investigator
Ms. Eileen E. Sammells, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82569
Amount: $499,991
Heavy metal contamination represents a major problem for DOE facilities and private sector mining operations. Therefore, a versatile, affordable monitoring system for detection of such contamination in surface and sub-surface waters is necessary. The need will be addressed through the development of miniaturized, electrochemical monitoring technology that enables rapid, in-situ measurement of multiple, trace heavy metals. The technology will be adaptable to either hand-held surface monitoring or down-hole applications. Successful strategies for the fabrication of devices by photo-lithographic methods were identified in Phase I. In addition, device performance for trace heavy metal detection was characterized under a variety of possible sample conditions, and parts-per-billion detection levels were obtained with minimal interference. Phase II will refine and optimize this detection technology for a broad scope of metals and sample conditions. The data will then be used to fabricate a prototype system that can identify and quantify up to seven heavy metals without reagents or sample pretreatment.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The proposed sampling and monitoring system should be applicable to both surface and subsurface water contamination problems relevant to DOE needs. Examples of potential private sector applications include monitoring emissions at metal plating facilities, on-site analysis of ground water quality and on-line monitoring of municipal drinking and waste-water.