measure and locate

pollutants in aquatic
systems
ENVIROBOT is a collaborative effort
between research groups from the
University of Lausanne, HES-SO,
EPFL and Eawag.
WHY AN ENVIROBOT?

TRADITIONAL
MONITORING
Specific location
Specific sample
Specific time
Lab analysis
Interpretation
 THE AIM OF ENVIROBOT

Sample and
analyze on a
predefined
mission
Track pollution
sources by self-
guided sampling
and analysis
 WHAT IS THE
ENVIROBOT?
Anguilliform aquatic robot: smooth swimming, less
disturbance, motor power divided across individual units
Segmented robot: modular design helps logistic sensor
development
Important engineering efforts: miniaturization,
communication protocols, data storage and transmission,
helm control
New software concepts: self-guidance from limited
sample input
Sensor miniaturization and optimization
New generation (biological) sensors: what to measure?
 Locomot
ion
SENSORS segment

Sensors can be mounted in

specific larger-sized robot Sensor
modules. segme
Sensor mounted to the outside: nt
no sampling needed. Concept and Development:
Sensor INSIDE the module:
EPFL-BIOROB lab.
sampling is needed.
CONDUCTIVITY, TEMPERATURE

Conductiv Temperature
ity sensor sensor

Above: continuous measurements Integrated

electronic
in two streams
boards for
Side: conductivity and
Pb2+ in lake temperature
water matrix control

Concept and Development:

EPFL-LEPA lab and HES-SO.
NEW OXYGEN AND pH SENSORS
5 cm
Integrated printed IrOx pH senso

Rapid pulse
polarographic sensor

Concept and Development:

EPFL-LEPA lab.
NEW GENERATION OF
BIOLOGICAL SENSORS
Odor
receptors
- Signal any distress from
pollution or toxicity
- Living cells and small
living water organisms Daphnia Bacteria
- Specifically targeted to
pollution
- Electrical impulses
Concepts
relayed to the robot Trout gill cells and
- Direct measurement and developmen
t:
quantitative UNIL, EPFL-
interpretation. LIMS4,
Eawag.
LIVE DAPHNIA SENSOR

Illuminated chamber

Detection of moving individua

Chamber
development: EPFL-
LIMS4 lab.
SENSORS BASED ON LIVE
BACTERIA Lyophilized
bacteria are
reconstituted by a
water sample and
emit light as a
function of
presence of a
target compound

Light output from

a Hg2+ bacterial
sensor T1h50
Concept and development:
Measurement cell: HES-SO
Sensor bacteria: UNIL lab.
RAINBOW TROUT
GILL CELL SENSORS
Seeded and grown on the
surface of biochips with
embedded electrodes Lake Zurich Tap water

WWTP 1 WWTP 2

The response of the cells to

pollutants can be followed by
impedance measurements.
Advantage: long term
maintenance at 10-15 C
Concept and realization:
Eawag lab and HES-SO.
FIELD MISSION AND LOCALIZATION

Concept and
realization:
EPFL-BIOROB lab.

11 of 18
 ADAPTIVE NAVIGATION
- Data interpretation
- Probability calculation of source orientation
Concept and
simulation:
EPFL-BIOROB lab.
SYSTEM BENCHMARKING
(cannot create a local pollution!)
1. Measure profiles along a river
mouth
2. Go out, sample and bring back

Passive filtering through diffus

Concept and realization:

BIOROB, HES-SO, UNIL
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Build your
own
bacterial
biosensor
(Winter 2016
@ UNIL):
soldering
and
molecular
biology

Synthetic
biology for
beginners:
Summer
2016 @ UNIL
SPINOFF ACTIVITIES

New carbon-nanotube printed

electrochemical sensor platform (EPFL-LEPA)

Fish cell line sensing (Eawag-HES-SO)

Single cell dispensers (EPFL-LIMS4)