New Berlin Sensor Detects Forever Chemicals On-Site
Close-up of the microfluidic chip of the sensor system - © BAM
Berlin-based scientists have created a game-changing solution for detecting PFAS, the notorious "forever chemicals" that contaminate water and soil worldwide. The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) has developed a portable sensor system that identifies these harmful substances in water samples within 15 minutes.
According to BAM's press release, the innovation addresses a critical gap in environmental monitoring. Traditional PFAS testing requires expensive laboratory equipment and can take days to deliver results. This delay makes it difficult for authorities and companies to respond quickly to contamination incidents.
The new system combines fluorescent particles with microfluidic technology, essentially creating a pocket-sized laboratory. After a simple water sample preparation, the device provides a clear signal if PFAS are present, detecting even small amounts of the chemicals.
"PFAS are a global problem. With our technology, we are laying the foundation for rapid on-site analysis that will help authorities and companies monitor and remediate contaminated sites," explains Knut Rurack, BAM's expert in chemical and optical sensing.
The achievement has gained international recognition, with Nature Communications publishing the results and selecting them for the journal's "Editors' Highlights" section in Materials Science and Chemistry.
What makes this development particularly valuable is its practicality. The mobile system requires no complex lab infrastructure and significantly reduces analysis costs and effort. Rurack notes that the combination of materials science and microfluidics could extend beyond PFAS to monitor other environmental pollutants.
As environmental regulations tighten and awareness of PFAS contamination grows, BAM's innovation provides authorities and businesses with a crucial tool for protecting public health and meeting legal requirements faster than ever before.
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