Belgian researchers develop device for analyzing water quality using... paper

A researcher from the Catholic University of Louvain (UCLouvain) in Belgium has developed a paper test device that can analyze water quality.

The "father" of this device is Grégoire Le Brun, a nanotechnology and biotechnology engineer who has spent the past 3 years researching and realizing the idea of ​​​​using test strips made of paper to test the quality. quantity of drinking water.

A researcher in Belgium has developed a paper test device that can analyze water quality

The test strip has a very simple working mechanism: just a few drops of water on a sensor that works like a pregnancy test or Covid-19 test strip will immediately have results on water quality.

Speaking about his initiative, Grégoire Le Brun - currently a doctoral student at UCLouvain - said that the development of this water quality analyzer has two purposes: to find an electronic solution that meets the requirements. sustainable development goals, while bringing a strong social impact. 

Therefore, in order to minimize the ecological and economic cost of the sensor, Grégoire Le Brun chose paper as the base material. The paper used is nitrocellulose, a cellulose derivative with special biological properties, capable of capturing bacteria and displaying results in seconds thanks to an electromagnetic measurement.

It is noteworthy that the test equipment of Grégoire Le Brun has the same reliability as traditional biological methods or electronic measuring devices, but significantly saves time, costs and is very environmentally friendly. school.

In addition, in the future, the device will not only be used to detect bacteria and pathogens in domestic water, but also can evaluate the hardness of water, pH and ion content in water if improved. more.

Not only that, the device also facilitates access to information about water quality in industrialized areas, remote areas, or even in difficult locations in order to reduce the health risks associated with water quality.

The King Baudouin Foundation of Belgium, which supports young doctoral students, has awarded the Ernest du Bois prize of 20,000 euros for the work of Grégoire Le Brun.

It is expected that Grégoire Le Brun paper water quality test strips will soon be put to the test in practice.