Research

We use electrokinetic separation techniques and electrochemical sensing technologies to develop our water purification and monitoring systems. Our approach allows us to remove contaminants from water while providing real-time data on water quality. By combining these methods, we aim to create reliable and efficient solutions for ensuring clean and safe water for various applications.

• Electrokinetic Separations
  Electrokinetic separations use the native charge and distinct electrophoretic mobilities of different particulate and chemical species to produce concentrated streams of contaminants or valuable compounds continuously. This method operates at ambient pressure without physical membranes, minimizing clogging and fouling issues commonly found in traditional filtration techniques. As a result, it reduces maintenance needs, equipment weight, and the amount of solid waste generated.
• Electrochemical Sensors
  Electrochemical sensors convert recognition events into electronic signals using faradaic electron transfer, potentiometric or impedimetric measurements, or ion transport. They can detect a wide range of species, including inorganic ions, small molecules, biomolecules, and pathogens, with or without biorecognition or selective binding agents. Electrochemical sensors are known for their portability, low cost, and quick response times.

Our comprehensive research strategy for each focus area will address short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals to ensure the development of effective water purification and sensing solutions.

• User-centered Design and Socioeconomic Research
  Identifying community needs, evaluating market potential, and developing educational materials
• Data Analysis, Statistics, and Modeling
  Designing experiments and analyzing complex datasets to guide the decision-making process
• Water Quality and Contaminant Expertise
  Identifying high-priority contaminants and defining targets for purification and sensing
• Electrochemical Sensing and Advanced Manufacturing
  Developing and prototyping novel purification devices and purification sensors
• Outreach
  Connecting with community members, publishing research outcomes, and ensuring local needs are met
• Commercialization Pathway
  Evaluating market readiness and developing sustainable business models for the technologies produced by each research focus area.

In addition to driving technological advances, HYDRO is committed to addressing the ethical, legal, and social implications of our work. We will ensure the following considerations are met:

• Equitable access for underserved and rural communities
• Safeguarding data privacy and ownership
• Complying with relevant regulatory standards
• Minimizing environmental impact through sustainable materials and manufacturing
• Engaging local stakeholders to foster cultural acceptance

By integrating these considerations into each research focus area, we aim to create water purification and sensing technologies that are not only innovative but responsibly developed, widely accessible, and aligned with community needs.