Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
An important benefit of nanotechnology for air monitoring is that it
decreases the size of the SGS devices considerably, making them compact
enough to be fitted anywhere. They can be integrated into flexible, mobile
monitoring systems, which can be easily reconfigured and applied on dif-
ferent spatial scales, providing reliable, real-time air quality data. If the sen-
sors are connected in an intelligent sensor network equipped with a GPS
(global positioning system), data can be transmitted from remote locations
to a central service site, modeled using GIS (geographic information system)
software and published on the Internet [17].
7.3.2 Water Monitoring Systems
When the European Water Framework Directive was implemented in 2000,
new regulations for water monitoring of organic substances were imposed
and measurements had to be done down to microgram per liter (μg L
-1
)
levels. Such accuracy, however, was difficult to achieve with conventional
water monitoring technologies, and a necessity for more sensitive systems
appeared. Nanotechnology has shown the potential to develop novel bio-
sensor technologies with improved characteristics (i.e., specificity, sensitiv-
ity, detection speed, ruggedness, and the ability to handle large volumes).
Novel water monitoring technologies use nanostructured biochips to detect
a variety of contaminants. A biochip is a small device that has multiple
miniaturized test sites (biosensors), arranged as microarrays on a solid sub-
strate [18]. That arrangement allows many tests to be performed simulta-
neously and thus achieve higher throughput and save time. The sensors
can be deposited either on flat passive substrates (e.g., silicon or glass) or on
active substrates, consisting of integrated electronics to perform or assist
signal transduction [18]. Surface chemistry is used to bind the substrate to
the sensor surface.
The Water Framework Directive (known also as Directive 2000/60/EC)
is a European directive, which commits all EU member states to achieve
good qualitative and quantitative status of all water bodies by 2015 [19].
By means of Directive 2000/60/EC, the EU provides for the management
of inland surface waters, groundwater, transitional waters, and coastal
waters in order to “prevent and reduce pollution, promote sustainable
water use, protect the aquatic environment, improve the status of aquatic
ecosystems and mitigate the effects of floods and droughts” [19].
The directive requires the issue of key documents over 6-year planning
cycles, as the most important among them are the River Basin Management
Plans, which need to be published in 2009, 2015, and 2021 [19].
