Water toxicity sensor challenge

The challenge

In the interest of advancing technology that can be used to evaluate water quality, the Seeker is looking for a design of a sensor that can detect the presence of one or more contaminants in water by measuring their impact on one or more toxicity pathways.

Have you got the solution? 

This sensor would avoid the need for performing multiple laboratory measurements for the detection of target compounds.

This can be a new technology or an improvement to existing technology.

The challenge is to find a new design solution for biologically based sensors for use in water systems. The sensor might not identify a specific contaminant/toxin but should be able to measure what level of activation / alert is required when when the sensor is exposed to water that contains relevant amounts of contaminants/toxins.

Challenge stages

This Challenge consists of two stages:

• Stage 1 is a Theoretical Challenge. Participants will be asked to submit an idea, along with detailed descriptions, specifications, supporting data or literature, and requirements necessary to bring the idea closer to becoming a product.
• If Stage 1 produces winning concepts, Stage 2 is planned as a subsequent Reduction to Practice Challenge with a larger prize purse. Participants will be asked to present their technology and submit a working prototype that puts their idea into practice. 

Closing date

Submissions must be received by 11.59 pm (U.S. Eastern Time) on 26 July 2021.

Late submissions will not be considered.