MULTIPARAMETER SYSTEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

• US 20090173629A1
• Filed: 03/11/2009
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Government of The US As Represented By The Secretary of The Navy
• Original Assignee: The Government of The US As Represented By The Secretary of The Navy
• Inventors: Kidwell, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,440,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/415
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3335 the membrane containing at least one organic component G01N27/3271 takes precedence; aspects concerning the enzyme reagent in enzyme electrodes C12Q1/001
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48714 for determining substances foreign to the organism, e.g. drugs or heavy metals drugs by chemical analysis G01N33/94

Abstract

A miniature, lightweight, inexpensive, environmental monitoring system containing a number of sensors that can simultaneously and continuously monitor fluorescence, absorbance, conductivity, temperature, and several ions. Sensors that monitor similar parameters can cross-check data to increase the likelihood that a problem with the water will be discovered.

Claims

1. A monitoring device, comprising:

(a) a cast membrane reference electrode comprising a membrane comprising a hydrophilic polymer and a hydrophobic polymer;

(b) at least one sensing electrode that measures a specific parameter relating to water quality, wherein there is electrical contact between the reference electrode and the at least one sensing electrode; and

(c) optionally, an absorbance sensor, a fluorescence sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, or any combination thereof;

wherein said monitoring device weighs less than one pound, is less than four inches in width, and is less than six inches in length.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein an array of sensing electrodes is used, wherein each sensing electrode measures a specific parameter relating to water quality.

3. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said sensing electrode measures pH, potassium ions, chloride ions, copper ions, magnesium ions, sodium ions, calcium ions, cyanide ions, fluoride ions, phosphates, organophosphates, oxidation-reduction potential, or enzyme activity.

5. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol grafted onto a hydrophobic molecule, polypropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol grafted onto a hydrophobic molecule, non-ionic surfactants, ethylene glycol, glycerol, and any combination thereof.

6. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, epoxy, polyvinyl butyral-co-vinyl-alcohol-co-vinyl acetate, and any combination thereof.

7. The monitoring device of claim 1, additionally comprising an indicator for said electrical contact.

8. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the data collected can be stored within the monitoring device.

9. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device can communicate with another device through a direct connection, an IR connection, radio waves, or any combination thereof.

4. (canceled)

10. A monitoring system comprising:

(a) a cast membrane reference electrode comprising a membrane comprising a hydrophilic polymer and a hydrophobic polymer;

(b) at least one sensing electrode that measures a specific parameter relating to water quality, wherein there is electrical contact between the reference electrode and the at least one sensing electrode; and

(c) optionally, an absorbance sensor, a fluorescence sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, or any combination thereof;

wherein data obtained by a sensing electrode or an optional sensor from (c) can be compared with data obtained by a different sensing electrode or optional sensor from (c) that measures a similar aspect of the water, thereby improving the effectiveness of the monitoring system in detecting a water quality concern;

wherein said monitoring device weighs less than one pound, is less than four inches in width, and is less than six inches in length.

11. The monitoring system of claim 10 wherein the monitoring system has a conductivity sensor and uses a computer program to compare conductivity calculated from data obtained by a sensing electrode with conductivity data obtained by the conductivity sensor.

12. The monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the data collected can be stored within the monitoring system.

13. The monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the monitoring system can communicate with another device through a direct connection, an IR connection, radio waves, or any combination thereof.

14. The monitoring system of claim 10, wherein said sensing electrode measures pH, potassium ions, chloride ions, copper ions, magnesium ions, sodium ions, calcium ions, cyanide ions, fluoride ions, phosphates, organophosphates, oxidation-reduction potential, or enzyme activity.

16. The monitoring system of claim 10, wherein said hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol grafted onto a hydrophobic molecule, polypropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol grafted onto a hydrophobic molecule, non-ionic surfactants, ethylene glycol, glycerol, and any combination thereof.

17. The monitoring system of claim 10, wherein said hydrophobic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, epoxy, polyvinyl butyral-co-vinyl-alcohol-co-vinyl acetate, and any combination thereof.

18. The monitoring system of claim 10, additionally comprising an indicator for said electrical contact.

15. (canceled)