Tue Nov 19 02:36:29 UTC 2024: ## IIT Bombay Develops Affordable Water Pollution Detector
**Mumbai, November 19, 2024** – Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have unveiled AroTrack, a low-cost, portable device for accurately detecting harmful water pollutants like phenol and benzene. This breakthrough offers a significant advancement in sustainable environmental management, particularly in regions lacking access to expensive laboratory testing.
AroTrack utilizes a biosensing module called MopR, derived from bacteria found in polluted environments. This module undergoes a color change in the presence of aromatic pollutants, a reaction detectable by the device’s LED-phototransistor assembly. The device, smaller than a projector, is robust and easy to use, requiring minimal technical expertise.
The researchers engineered mutations in the MopR protein to broaden its detection capabilities to include various benzene and xylenol group pollutants. The entire device, including 3D-printed components and readily available electronics, costs less than ₹5,000 ($50).
AroTrack has proven highly accurate in tests using both simulated and real-world water samples, achieving results comparable to sophisticated spectrophotometers. It operates reliably in temperatures up to 50°C and completes analysis within 30 minutes, detecting pollutants at concentrations as low as 10-200 parts per billion.
Professors Ruchi Anand and Rajdip Bandyopadhyaya, leading the research team, emphasize AroTrack’s potential to revolutionize water quality monitoring, especially in rural and low-income areas. While currently a functional prototype, further field trials are planned to ensure its market readiness and expand its detection capabilities to include a wider range of pollutants.
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