10146832Lab on chip ammonia sensors transformation for water environments and environmental data (LAST-WEED)ActiveCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThis collaborative project between ClearWater Sensors Ltd (CWS) and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) addresses a global, and well publicised UK crisis in water quality. It will develop a new sensor that measures both ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH4+) in water, which are markers of untreated sewage. They are nutrients used in natural processes, but ammonia is toxic at elevated concentrations. A newly enforced regulation, Section 82 of the environment act UK 2021, requires continuous real-time monitoring of NH3/4 upstream and downstream of all the UK's ~30000 outfalls and sewage works. Measurement is also needed in Aquaculture (particularly in recirculating / tank systems due to toxicity) as well as wider Utilities, Regulator and Scientific markets. To address this opportunity, we propose the first ever sensor using a new chemical technique (assay) which will enable world leading (ten times improvement) performance and longevity whilst reducing reagent toxicity and sensor energy consumption. This will enable widespread use of sensors in regulation and management of water quality for the first time. The sensor hardware will be an adaptation (new optics and fluidic layout) of the lab on chip (LOC) technology developed since 2004, by the NOC / the University of Southampton and commercialised under license by CWS. This LOC technology is a world-leading microfluidic platform for in situ (submersible) chemical sensors that can be deployed remotely, including on autonomous vehicles in hostile environments. Sensors for pH, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate and iron are products offered by CWS, and other sensors are in development. LOC sensors have been successfully deployed over 200 times, are extremely robust (e.g. depth rated to 6000m) and offer world leading metrology performance. We will iteratively test the new sensors in market relevant environments and feedback results to our stakeholders and into our R&D.