iv UK Focus


Student-made water quality monitor can help isolated communities track safe water sources and avoid contamination


A portable water quality monitor created by a team of University of Bath students could help to rapidly detect and map safe water sources for communities around the world.


The OASIS device, created by Team Bath Biodevices without Borders, combines innovative water diagnostic and GPS technology to carry out rapid water quality analysis and plot the results to a global map.


When dipped in water, the device determines the quality and safety of the water by using a series of small electrochemical sensors to detect a range of contaminants, including chlorides, fl uorides, and nitrates, as well as its pH level, temperature and turbidity (or clearness).


Results are then displayed on the device, and if a smartphone is connected, it can be uploaded and shared online.


The OASIS – short for On-site Aquatic Safety Inspection System – has been created by the student team, a Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) group. VIPs at Bath enable students from all year groups and across all University disciplines to collaborate with staff on long-term real-world issues.


The team recently drew on Bath’s longstanding links with South Africa‘s Stellenbosch University to fi eld test the OASIS and then explore how the device could be integrated into local communities to enable safe water consumption and monitoring.


Team Leader Alexz Farrall says the project aims to inform and give opportunities to those who may be unaware of contaminated water sources, while enabling students to build practical skills that can benefi t global communities. He adds: “We are creating an innovative and genuinely useable device that, with some further development, could really make an impact on water safety and water scarcity.


“The OASIS uses affordable sensors to enable rapid detection of several chemical markers, doing analysis that would otherwise take hours in a lab. When you submerge the device in water, it can instantly give feedback on how clean and drinkable a water source is. Combined with GPS technology, it can empower users to be aware of how harmful or safe a water source is and share it with their community.


“This could work in areas where water is scarce, potentially contaminated, or where agricultural work can cause quite rapid changes to water quality. It can provide a form of immediate detection of risks, or for situations such as a Cholera outbreak.”


OASIS device


The OASIS device works by employing an array of electrochemical sensors. When these sensors come into contact with water, they initiate a series of electrochemical reactions, which are affected by the presence, concentration, and type of contaminants in the water. By analysing the output of these reactions, the device can detect and quantify various clean water indicators.


While portable water sensors have previously been developed, the OASIS device’s distinction lies in its affordability and innovative integration of technologies. By designing cheap and reliable sensors and making their project open-source, the team aims to work with NGOs to bring the device into full production and make it available in areas where they operate.


Dr Despina Moschou, Senior Lecturer in Bath’s Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering and a member of the CBio Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies, is the team’s academic director..


Dr Moschou says: “The device is sophisticated and addresses a major global problem in a simple and potentially very affordable way.


“The work the team has done to fi nd out how to apply their knowledge to this problem, building their skills and real-world problem solving is truly impressive.”


Farrall adds: “One of the key issues we’re focusing on is how to provide a useful and usable data infrastructure alongside strong capability and detail.


“Longer-term, you could use different attachments to have the sensors monitor every tap, pipe, or river to increase awareness and more quickly determine outbreaks or contaminant sources.”


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IET NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023 email: For More Info, email: 61529pr@reply-direct.com Future plans for collaborations


Work on the device started shortly after the formation of the team two years ago. Farrall, who completed a Master’s in Human- Computer Interaction at Bath and is currently working on a PhD in developing new mental health technology, explains: “We came together as a group, asking ‘what do we believe to be an important issue to focus our attention towards?’. Water scarcity reaches across the globe and is an issue that will affect more people as the rise of pollutants increases. We wanted to support current and future issues that align with everyone’s basic human rights.”


Next up for the team is making the device more effi cient and affordable and adding greater sensitivity and detection towards a range of contaminants. Additionally, they aim to explore its potential to address socio-economic challenges aiming to create water quality monitoring jobs for locals and in taking on other projects, such as helping to creating building materials from plastic waste.


Team Bath Biodevices has been backed with funding and support from the University’s Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Faculty of Engineering & Design, as well as Bath’s Impact Acceleration Account.


The Biodevices team aims to bring their device to production by seeking collaborations with industrial partners or further funders and sponsors.


The members of Team Bath Biodevices are Alexz Farrall, Vrinda Raninga, Jorge Palop Suarez, Jian Lu Helsby, Cris Dignadice, Ming Lee, Tara McKenna, Jordan Dawson, Alexa Mesham, Melissa Mitchell, Shay Patel, Daniel Light, George Madeley, Jonathan Pugsley, and Jamie Workman.


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Peel Ports Group reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by almost one-third in three years


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Peel Ports Group has announced it has signifi cantly reduced its greenhouse gas emissions across its port facilities, cutting these by almost a third since 2020. The reduction is revealed in the group’s new 51-page ESG report - one of the most detailed reports of its kind to be produced by any UK port operator of similar size. As the country’s second largest port operator, Peel Ports has published the document to showcase its commitment to sustainable port operations. The independently verifi ed fi gures confi rm the group has reduced Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions across its port operations by a total of 32 percent, against its 2020 baseline and using a market-based accounting approach. The company’s Scope 1 emissions across its port operations have fallen by 47 percent alone during that time, largely helped by transitioning to using biofuels instead of diesel in straddle carriers and other equipment, and through the electrifi cation of 97 percent of the group’s vehicle fl eet.


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Claudio Veritiero, Chief Executive Offi cer at Peel Ports Group, said: “As one of the UK’s largest port operators, and a major employer in the areas in which we operate, we are fully aware of the role we need to play in driving the sustainability agenda. We took the lead within our industry when we announced our commitment to become a net-zero business by 2040, and this level of ambition has been replicated across our other focus areas of sustainability, including our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion as well as social issues. I am particularly proud of the signifi cant projects and initiatives we’ve introduced to reduce our carbon footprint over the last twelve months, and whilst we have some way to go, this sets us in good stead for the year ahead. This report represents a steppingstone in our journey to delivering sustainable growth for the business and we remain fully committed to building on the achievements we’ve made to date while working to further embed sustainability as a driver for our future success.”


The annual report will enable Peel Ports Group to effectively monitor and deliver on its ESG ambitions as it seeks to become the number one sustainable port organisation in the UK. The report details investments and initiatives to help the company reach the net zero milestone by 2040 across all of its locations in the UK and Ireland, nearly two years after the company fi rst declared its ambitious net-zero plans. It further delves into how Peel Ports Group’s ESG strategy is underpinned by several UN Sustainable Development goals to help it make a meaningful impact globally. The strategy aligns with four UN priority goals: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Climate Action and Life Below Water. Future ESG and Sustainability reports will continue to effectively measure progress to help ensure success.


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