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Title

Partner sought for validation of a sensor aimed at detecting metals in water.

Reference

TRES20201001001

Last update

Fri, Oct, 23, 2020

Deadline

Fri, Oct, 22, 2021

Abstract

A Spanish (Basque) SME specialized in photonic solutions for the industry has developed a rapid optical sensor for detecting metal ions in water. The company is looking for a partner willing to test the technology on site and implement the prototype in their industrial plants under a technical cooperation agreement.

Description

Optical sensors are a promising alternative to conventional analytical techniques for monitoring water quality in many natural and industrial environments. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include, as part of the Goal 6 on water and sanitation for all, a specific target to improve water quality. Consequently, improved water quality monitoring will be essential in the evaluation of progress towards the achievement of this SDG target.

Optical sensors are characterised by their high sensitivity, short response time, specificity, and relatively low production cost. In addition to these characteristics, they can perform continuous monitoring of water providing a real-time measurement of different analytes as heavy metals. Other important advantages of these sensors are their reduced size and the possibility to analyse different types of heavy metal ions at the same time.

The Basque SME has designed and manufactured an interferometric sensor based on optical fibre for the detection of heavy metal ions (copper and lead) in water. Preliminary tests indicate that the sensor can detect and quantify these heavy metals selectively on-site and in real-time. Its principle of operation is based on optical interference, which allows detecting concentrations in water as low as 0,000063 ppb. Furthermore, it is capable of doing it selectively and in less than a minute. Besides, the fact that it is based on optical fibre, makes the sensor a micrometric-scale size (125 µm).

The company seeks a partner to further develop and refine this technology in order to reach final TRL-7. For that purpose, the Basque SME seeks industrial partners (preferably water processing, water treatment plants or metal particles detection companies), R&D-institutions or labs (with access to operational installations) willing to reach a technological cooperation agreement bilaterally beneficial. On the one hand, the Spanish company will be able to validate its sensor’s current capabilities under real conditions enabling adjustments and technology improvements. On the other hand, installing the rapid on-site sensor for heavy metal ions detection in its facilities, the sought partner will be able to parameterize the solution to its own necessities through different tests while at the same time have access to real-time data which can help decision-making or be subject to further analysis.

Technology Keywords

Optical material testing;Sensor Technology related to measurements;Industrial Water Treatment

Keyword Codes:

09001006;09001009;10004001

Current Stage of Development

Intellectual Property Rights

Secret Know-how,Design Rights,Trade Marks

IPR Comments:

Exploitation of RTD Results

Organisation/Company Type

Organisation/Company Size

Organisation Comments

The SME seeks an industrial company with expertise in water treatment processes or the manipulation of metal particles. It would be also acceptable R&D institutions that are making research in water treatment techniques or solutions.

Detailed Market Application Codes (VEIC)

MA Keyword

Other measuring devices;Water treatment equipment and waste disposal systems

MA Keyword Codes:

03007002;08004003

Application Domain Description:


Collaboration Type

Comments:

The Basque SME is looking for industrial companies that are able to implement the prototype in their facility plants. Moreover, companies belonging to the water industry or working with metal particles would be highly estimated. R&D centres and Labs would also be taken into consideration. The partner’s role would be implementing the prototype in its facilities, parameterize the solution to its own necessities, assess its functioning and translate the results to the Basque SME in order to make corrections or necessary improvements into the sensing technology.

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