PhD Student to Develop Novel Fluorescence Sensor

PhD Student Bethany Fox is Working with CTG to Develop Novel Fluorescence Sensor to Monitor Microbial Processes of Freshwater Systems

Bethany Fox is working on a CASE Award at the University of the West of England(UWE)under Professor Darren Reynoldsexploring applications of Tryptophan fluorescence to environmental water quality monitoring. Bethany will spend three months each year atChelsea Technologies Group(CTG) receiving intensive industrial training and developing new water quality sensors.

CTG is part of ateam with UWE and the University of Bristol who recently won a prestigious CASE award from NERC. This Award will fund Bethany over 4 years. The project entitled ‘ The development of a fluorescence sensor for monitoring microbial processes of freshwater systems' will address the urgent need for real-time in situ monitoring of the microbial health and status of freshwater systems (surface and ground).

Even within the UK, increasing population and changing rainfall are challenging the capacity of existing infrastructure. Sewage pollution in the country's rivers and potentially in potable drinking water supplies is a serious concern. Bethany's work focuses on understanding how the fluorescent properties of dissolved organic matter in freshwater systems relate to microbial processes. The commercial focus of the project lies in the design, fabrication, validation and testing of a novel fluorescence sensing device in partnership with CTG.

Source: Chelsea Technologies Group

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