Technology Water Monitoring PrimeLab 2.0 by Water-i.d.®


The PrimeLab 2.0 photometer from Water-i.d.®


analysis. Designed for professional users in industry, laboratories, environmental monitoring, and water treatment, this high- end device combines maximum flexibility with innovative digital features. A key highlight is its ability to determine Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) – a critical parameter in wastewater assessment – using a cuvette-based test method.


With the optionally available COD Kit, the PrimeLab 2.0 transforms into a compact, laboratory-grade COD analysis unit. The system enables precise evaluation across various COD ranges – ideal for municipal wastewater treatment plants, industrial dischargers, or surface water monitoring. Photometric evaluation is fast, accurate, and fully traceable, with built-in export capabilities for documentation and data management.


Beyond COD testing, the PrimeLab 2.0 impresses with its extensive parameter versatility: more than 140 water parameters can be measured, including chlorine,


– Where innovation meets precision:


Now with COD kit for cuvette testing sets new standards in water


nitrate, phosphate, ammonium, iron, aluminum, cyanuric acid, pH, and many more. The instrument supports multiple reagent types – tablets, liquid reagents, and cuvettes – and automatically selects the correct method, ensuring fast, intuitive, and error-free operation.


The high-resolution 5.5” touchscreen provides a logical step-by-step user interface, backed by powerful software and multilingual navigation. Wi-Fi and USB interfaces are available as optional modules, enabling seamless connection to the free LabCOM®


cloud platform for managing and evaluating all measurement data.


A standout feature: the PrimeLab 2.0 is modular and expandable, allowing optional add-ons such as an electrode module for redox, conductivity, pH, and temperature measurements. In addition, an integrated camera allows automatic scanning of reagent packaging for enhanced traceability and convenience.


For COD testing, Water-i.d.® offers


pre-filled test cuvettes, heating blocks, and a full range of accessories to ensure safe, reproducible, and standards- compliant workflows.


Whether in environmental monitoring, process control, or lab-based analysis, the PrimeLab 2.0 with COD Kit is the ideal solution for professionals who require precise, documented, and mobile water analysis.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/mA0l 66117@reply-direct.com


A breakthrough in ATEX Zone 0 velocity sensing


Mainstream Measurements Ltd has launched of MainProbeX, a next-generation ultrasonic velocity sensor engineered for high-risk, high-demand flow monitoring applications. Combining ATEX Zone 0 certification with exceptional measurement precision, MainProbeX is set to redefine performance standards across the water, wastewater and industrial sectors.


MainProbeX performs a range of important functions: ATEX Zone 0 certification for safe operation in explosive atmospheres; high- accuracy ultrasonic velocity measurement in challenging hydraulic conditions; ultra-low power performance ideal for long-term remote deployments; ModBus RTU (RS-485) connectivity for seamless integration; and built-in intelligent diagnostics for fast, reliable installation.


Powered by the Mainstream Adaptive Measurement System (MAMS), MainProbeX continuously optimises energy use and signal quality, ensuring dependable, stable data even in demanding environments. It is designed to give utilities, engineers, and monitoring providers complete confidence in their flow data, without sacrificing battery life or installation time. The future of precision velocity measurement is here.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/E7Jw 66245pr@reply-direct.com


Talking Point


DNA/RNA aptamer-based biosensors could strengthen environmental virus surveillance


In the wake of recent global health crises, environmental surveillance has become a vital “early warning system.”


By testing wastewater, air and high-traffic surfaces, scientists can detect the presence of a virus within a community long before a surge in hospital patients confirms an outbreak. However, traditionally, this monitoring has relied on slow, laboratory-heavy processes.


A new review led by researchers at the Dalian University of Technology suggests that a shift towards aptamer-based biosensors could bridge the gap between high-tech laboratory accuracy and real-world portability.


What are aptamers?


Aptamers are short, single strands of DNA or RNA engineered to bind to specific targets – such as a viral protein – with incredible precision.


In many ways, they act like antibodies, which are the body’s natural defense molecules used in many diagnostic tests.


However, aptamers have several technical advantages for environmental work.


They are fully synthetic, making them easier and cheaper to manufacture than antibodies. They are also significantly more stable at high temperatures and can be easily modified to fit into different types of portable sensors.


These features make them ideal for “in the field” use, where a sensor might have to endure fluctuating weather or be used far away from a climate-controlled lab.


“Reliable viral detection underpins nearly every public health response, from patient diagnosis to outbreak surveillance,” says Jiuxing Li, the study’s corresponding author.


“Our review shows that aptamer-based biosensors are rapidly closing the gap between laboratory accuracy and real-world usability.”


Moving beyond the lab


The researchers highlight the limitations of current “gold standard” methods like PCR (polymerase chain reaction).


While PCR is highly sensitive, it usually requires expensive equipment and trained personnel. This makes it difficult to use for rapid testing across large geographic areas.


Aptamers seek to solve this through a process called SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment).


Think of this as a “survival of the fittest” laboratory process where billions of random DNA or RNA sequences are tested against a virus. Only the ones that bind most tightly are kept and copied.


Because this process is synthetic, developers can quickly adapt the sequences if a virus evolves or if a new threat emerges.


This allows for a “programmable” approach to environmental safety.


Technology for the real world


Once an aptamer is selected, it can be integrated into various sensor designs:


Electrochemical sensors: these translate a virus binding to the aptamer into an electrical signal. They are often small enough to be battery- powered and handheld


Optical platforms: these use light or colour changes (sometimes readable by a smartphone camera) to show the presence of a virus


Nanomaterials: by combining aptamers with gold or carbon nanoparticles, scientists can amplify signals, allowing them to detect viruses even at very low concentrations in large water systems.


“These biosensors can be designed for rapid testing outside traditional laboratories,” notes co-corresponding author Meng Liu.


“Some platforms can deliver results in minutes, require minimal sample preparation and operate with portable or handheld devices.”


From wastewater to food safety


The environmental applications for this technology are vast.


In water systems, aptamer sensors could provide constant monitoring of wastewater to track viral spread across entire cities. In hospitals or transport hubs like airports, air and surface sensors could guide cleaning protocols or ventilation adjustments in real-time, stopping “hotspots” before they grow.


The technology also has major implications for food safety. Rapidly detecting viral contamination along a supply chain could


prevent widespread food poisoning or livestock disease outbreaks, particularly when traditional testing would cause days of delay.


The path forward Despite the potential, some hurdles remain.


Testing “dirty” environmental samples – like muddy water or complex aerosols – is much harder than testing a clean sample in a lab.


The researchers argue that for these sensors to become routine, they must be validated on a large scale and integrated into digital reporting systems. This way data from thousands of sites can be managed automatically.


As health systems around the world plan for future threats, aptamer-based biosensors are poised to become a critical component of our global early warning infrastructure, providing the ability to detect viral risks wherever they emerge.


Have your say on the matter. Join the conversation


jed@envirotechpubs.com


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IET - JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2026


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