Development of a waterlily-inspired autonomous cloud connected platform for Ca2+ monitoring

Abstract

In this study, we developed an innovative water quality monitoring platform that enables cloud-based data transmission using a calcium ion-selective electrode. On-field measurement systems offer significant advantages for water quality monitoring, as they eliminate the need for laboratory infrastructure and associated logistics required by traditional methods. However, to achieve effective implementation with in situ measurement instruments such as sensors, challenges related to data transmission, energy supply, sampling, and field distribution need to be addressed. To this end, we designed a modular 3D-printed platform inspired by the waterlily, whose broad floating leaves offer natural stability on water surfaces. A custom microfluidic chip was produced to support sensor operation, and a micro-pump was integrated to sample and analyze water samples. We performed all system operations using software algorithms and electronic circuits developed in-house for overall control. The microfluidic system was optimized to enable efficient sampling and reliable delivery of water to the sensor for accurate measurement. The platform was utilised to carry out operations with low energy consumption and low cost, while the data were successfully transmitted and stored in a cloud database.