The project's overall aim has been to develop new sensors, and multi-sensor platforms, with high sensitivity, for real time, continuous monitoring of chemical and microbiological contaminants in air and water, and their subsequent integration in a unique innovative computerized platform for acquisition, management and sharing of data.
The ultimate goal has been to develop innovative chemical and microbiological risk assessment, management and communication tools in order to convert from the current retrospective approach to a preventive one, and to switch from a local to a global approach to risk, that extends to entire supply chain, from uptake to the final user. Another project aim is overcome territorial differences relating to environmental control and public health.
The project's overall aim has been reached achieving 3 macro operational goals:
- To develop innovative sensors detecting chemical contaminants in air and water, in real time
- To develop innovative sensors detecting microbiological contaminants in air and water,in real time
- To develop new sensors validating sterilization cycles in real time
SENSOR project aims to provide an answer to market demand for the protection of public health through the combination of different technologies related to different contaminants:
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SAW (Surface Acoustic Waves) sensor with nanostructured chemical interface, integrated in an optical device for sensing based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR), for the detection of contaminants in liquid matrices.
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Nanostructured polymer-based sensor for the determination of heavy metal ions in aqueous solution.
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Optical sensor for the fluorescence of organic contaminants in aqueous solutions.
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Integrated refractive index photonic sensor on a silicon platform for the detection of contaminants in liquid mediums.
The SAW and photonic sensors have been chemically functionalized to selectively and specifically detect microbiological contaminants, such as viruses for example measles, SARS COV-2, and bacteria such as for example Legionella, which can be found in air and water.
Chemical contaminants in water are capable of being detected by the nanostructured sensor, which has been successful in detecting trace concentrations of heavy metal ions in water. The fluorescence sensor has been capable of characterizing the composition of water for human consumption, as was sampled and analyzed during the intense water sampling campaign in the ACQUE S.p.A. plants.
During the project, a new model of sterilizer was designed, which allows the control of the principal parameters of the sterilization cycle in real time, integrable with a sensor for the validation of the sterilization cycles. For the chemical functionalization of this SAW sensor, a specific molecule was synthesized, capable of detecting the presence of "live" Stearothermophilus bacteria.
Finally, to validate the reliability and effectiveness of the sensors, an aerosolization chamber has been created, in which the environmental conditions are known, such as the aerodispersion of microbial contaminants but ensuring the safety of staff working.