Reference number : GC-2017-Q4-01622, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Selvaganapathy, Ponnambalam (McMaster University), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Grants for universities, program name french : Subventions d'engagement partenarial pour les universités, program purpose english : This project develops a microfluidic preconcentration device that is critical to improve the sensitivity of heavy_x000D_
metal sensors which are used for monitoring the environment. Assessment of water quality at a remote setting_x000D_
requires devices that are portable, inexpensive, user agnostic and accurate in measuring ions of interest. We_x000D_
have recently developed a sensing system that is compact, low cost and automates the detection of heavy_x000D_
metals in water. However, the sensitivity of this sensing system is an order of magnitude poorer than the_x000D_
minimum allowable limits of heavy metals in the environment. Therefore, there is a critical need to_x000D_
pre-concentrate the environmental sample to meet the accuracy requirement. Among the various methods used,_x000D_
ion exchange is an effective method to preconcentrate in an autonomous manner. Our partner, Renix, is a_x000D_
leader in development of ion exchange systems for applications in environmental water treatment. They are_x000D_
interested in developing a value added product that could use their expertise in ion exchange to assist with the_x000D_
monitoring and detection of heavy metals. Using our combined expertise in ion exchange as well as in_x000D_
miniaturization, we will develop a preconcentration module that will automate the concentration and release of_x000D_
the metal ions from environmental water samples. The preconcentration module will be tested in combination_x000D_
with the sensing system to completely automate the detection process and its performance will be assessed over_x000D_
extended duration of time. The outcome of this project will not only extend the product line of our partner, but_x000D_
also provide a valuable tool that could potentially be used by them to optimize the performance of their_x000D_
environmental water treatment systems. This project will also develop interdisciplinary skills in the students_x000D_
and the interaction with industrial partner will be an excellent training for the students., program purpose french : This project develops a microfluidic preconcentration device that is critical to improve the sensitivity of heavy_x000D_
metal sensors which are used for monitoring the environment. Assessment of water quality at a remote setting_x000D_
requires devices that are portable, inexpensive, user agnostic and accurate in measuring ions of interest. We_x000D_
have recently developed a sensing system that is compact, low cost and automates the detection of heavy_x000D_
metals in water. However, the sensitivity of this sensing system is an order of magnitude poorer than the_x000D_
minimum allowable limits of heavy metals in the environment. Therefore, there is a critical need to_x000D_
pre-concentrate the environmental sample to meet the accuracy requirement. Among the various methods used,_x000D_
ion exchange is an effective method to preconcentrate in an autonomous manner. Our partner, Renix, is a_x000D_
leader in development of ion exchange systems for applications in environmental water treatment. They are_x000D_
interested in developing a value added product that could use their expertise in ion exchange to assist with the_x000D_
monitoring and detection of heavy metals. Using our combined expertise in ion exchange as well as in_x000D_
miniaturization, we will develop a preconcentration module that will automate the concentration and release of_x000D_
the metal ions from environmental water samples. The preconcentration module will be tested in combination_x000D_
with the sensing system to completely automate the detection process and its performance will be assessed over_x000D_
extended duration of time. The outcome of this project will not only extend the product line of our partner, but_x000D_
also provide a valuable tool that could potentially be used by them to optimize the performance of their_x000D_
environmental water treatment systems. This project will also develop interdisciplinary skills in the students_x000D_
and the interaction with industrial partner will be an excellent training for the students., agreement title english : Development of a microfluidic ion exchange preconcentration module for heavy metals sensing in water, agreement title french : Development of a microfluidic ion exchange preconcentration module for heavy metals sensing in water, agreement number : EGP, agreement value : 25000.0, agreement start date : 2018-03-07, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada