NTU Singapore scientists invent handheld device for quick monitoring of drinking water quality

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore have developed a portable device to detect trace levels of heavy metals in drinking water in just five minutes.

The secret lies in an organic substance within the circulating human bloodstream which can detect and bind to heavy metal ions.

Combining the agent with an optical measurement system, Associate Professor Yong Ken-Tye and Professor Tjin Swee Chuan from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering developed a device that generates test results quickly without needing to bring samples back, making the device convenient for on-site water testing.

The technology was reported in the scientific journal ACS Sensors.