News

Oct 16, 2024

Woo-Jin Chang awarded a patent for sensor that detects phosphates in water – College of Engineering & Applied Science

Woo-Jin Chang, associate professor, mechanical engineering, has secured a patent for a graphene-based sensor developed in his lab specifically for detecting phosphates in water. Co-inventors and UWM

Woo-Jin Chang, associate professor, mechanical engineering, has secured a patent for a graphene-based sensor developed in his lab specifically for detecting phosphates in water. Co-inventors and UWM graduates Misong Ryu and Mohammad Rizwen Ur Rahman are also on the patent, issued through the UWM Research Foundation.

Monitoring phosphates, a natural source of phosphorus, is crucial for protecting drinking water and detecting a major source of nutrient pollution in water.

The researchers’ electrochemical sensors are highly sensitive and easy to use, affordable and compact and are produced with off-the-shelf materials. In addition to water-quality monitoring, they can be used in aquaculture.

The sensor measures changes in electrical potential when phosphate ions interact with a novel composite material that Chang and his lab members developed. This material enhances selectivity and sensitivity to phosphate ions.

“Traditional methods for phosphate monitoring often require complex sample preparation, reagents and time-consuming procedures,” Chang said. “In contrast, my sensor offers a simpler solution that facilitates on-site phosphate measurement.”

This research has been supported by the Water, Equipment and Policy Center.