WaterSpy: Utilizing photonics technology for drinking water quality analysis

This paper presents the basic principles and the preliminary results of a research project (WaterSpy) which aims at addressing some of the aforementioned limitations through the development of a novel, compact, cost-effective photonic device, operating in the spectral range of 6-10 μm and suitable for pervasive water quality sensing. In particular, the aim of this research is to develop a device that will require less than a few hours for a full water sample analysis of 100 mL, in search for three heterotrophic bacterial cells (E. coli, Salmonella and P. aerruginosa).This paper presents the basic principles and the preliminary results of a research project (WaterSpy) which aims at addressing some of the aforementioned limitations through the development of a novel, compact, cost-effective photonic device, operating in the spectral range of 6-10 μm and suitable for pervasive water quality sensing. In particular, the aim of this research is to develop a device that will require less than a few hours for a full water sample analysis of 100 mL, in search for three heterotrophic bacterial cells (E. coli, Salmonella and P. aerruginosa).