by A team of students from the University of Bath has created a portable water quality monitor called OASIS, which has the potential to rapidly detect and map safe water sources for communities around the world. The device combines innovative water diagnostic and GPS technology to conduct rapid water quality analysis and plot the results on a global map. By simply dipping the device into water, small electrochemical sensors detect various contaminants such as chlorides, fluorides, nitrates, pH level, temperature, and turbidity.
The results are then displayed on the device and can be uploaded and shared online using a connected smartphone. The OASIS, which stands for On-site Aquatic Safety Inspection System, is an affordable and reliable device that aims to provide opportunities for those uninformed about contaminated water sources, while also developing practical skills for students to benefit global communities.
The device has been designed to enable immediate detection of risks and can be particularly useful in areas where water is scarce, potentially contaminated, or affected by rapid changes in water quality. The OASIS team intends to work with NGOs to further develop the device and bring it into full production, making it accessible in the areas they operate.
The goal is to create a useful and usable data infrastructure that can monitor various water sources and contribute to the detection of outbreaks or contaminant sources. Future plans also include improving the device’s efficiency, affordability, and sensitivity towards detecting a wide range of contaminants. This student-led initiative represents a significant step towards addressing global water scarcity and ensuring safe water consumption for all communities.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
