Mid-infrared spectroscopy-based sensors for inline water and wastewater analysis

We report on the development of mid-infrared spectroscopy-based sensors for inline water and wastewater analysis. Midinfrared spectroscopy is a powerful tool for chemical identification and quantification. To overcome the limitations of the technique imposed by rapid extinction of the infrared signal in water, we have developed pre-concentration techniques that achieve beyond four orders of magnitude enhancement of measurement sensitivity, along with enhanced selectivity, for analytes. Applications include monitoring of nutrients and metabolites in bioreactor systems for wastewater treatment and industrial processes (e.g. biofuel production), in-line process control in chemical manufacturing, and rapid on-site screening of contaminants in environmental samples for assessment and remediation of environmental contamination sites.