Invited Paper SU+2D+MS+NS-TuA3
Real-time Detection of Water Contaminants Using a Graphene-based Field-Effect Transistor Sensing Platform
Tuesday, October 31, 2017, 3:00 pm, Room 5 & 6
The National Academy of Engineering identified “providing access to clean water” as one of the top 10 grand challenges for engineering in the 21st century. A central requirement for safe drinking water is the availability of low-cost and real-time water quality monitoring. Current detection methods for critical analytes in water are often too expensive or unsuitable for in-situ and real-time detection (an unmet need). As a result, there is a lack of water quality monitoring along the water distribution line and at the point of use, which is inadequate because of potential deterioration in water quality within water distribution systems (e.g., Flint Water Crisis). This talk will unveil a powerful approach to real-time water sensors through a graphene-based field-effect transistor platform. The working principle of the sensor is that the conductivity of 2D nanomaterial channel (usually measured in resistance) changes upon binding of chemical or biological species to molecular probes anchored on the graphene surface. As such, the presence and the concentration of analytes, such as heavy metals, bacteria, and nutrients, can be rapidly determined by measuring the sensor resistance change. The talk will introduce the performance of the sensor for detection of various water contaminants and focus on the molecular engineering aspects of the sensor device through both theoretical and experimental approaches. The talk will end with a brief introduction on the translation of the platform technology from concept to prototype product through partnership with industries.