1. Field Applications for Nutrient Testing in Water: Introducing the WIZ Probe
Bethany Steevens. Agape Scientific. Midwest AOAC. Lincoln, Nebraksa

2. About Agape Scientific
Founded in January 2018 by Bethany Steevens, a chemist from the University of Illinois with 8 years of experience in scientific instrument solutions for food, agricultural, and environmental testing labs and production
Exclusive distribution in North America for Opsis LiquidLINE ( and Systea S.p.A. (
Three dedicated service groups in the US and Canada; Parker Analytical ( Meyer Service and Support Ltd. ( and EZ Khem (
Five sales reps and a large network of experienced and reputable sales engineers across the US and Canada
Headquarters in Saint Louis, MO.
Analytical lab planned for Summer of 2019.
First direct employee, Adam Hanson

3. Agape Scientific Values
We believe in quality instruments, consumables, and consulting solutions to SERVE our customers
You will love our products. You will love our people.
100% guarantee on all consumables, analyzers, and service.
If we can’t meet your needs, we will send you to another instrument vendor or consumable supplier with a strong reputation for SERVING their customers.
Your business is valuable. The work that you do is valuable. It is an honor to serve customers.
We value the collaborative nature of science and technology.
If you treat the customer with honor, respect, fair pricing, and add value – you will always have loyal customers
MWAOAC members will receive 5% discount on consumables and analyzers until December 31, 2018

4. The Problem: Field Sampling to Monitor Water Quality
Sampling in the field requires a dedicated field chemists to collect samples and deliver to the testing laboratory
Lab chemists perform chemistry
No real-time analysis available for affordable remote sensing to monitor water quality

5. The CONTEST!
Alliance of Coastal Technologies (ACT) organized a Nutrient Sensor Challenge to field test nitrate and orthophosphate testing using in-situ nutrient sensors
Three different applications: river water, estuarine, and coastal water monitoring
In 2016, Systea S.p.A., was selected from a short list of instrument companies, research institutes, and universities to participate in this sensor challenge with their Water In-situ Analyzer (or WIZ) probe

6. The Water In-situ Analyzer Probe (WIZ)
State-of-the-art, portable, “in-situ” probe that automatically measures up to four chemical compounds in surface and sea water
Detects of trace analytes of four major nutrient compounds, ammonia, orthophosphate, nitrate + nitrite, and nitrite
Using well-known spectrophotometric wet chemistries and advanced fluorometric methods for ammonia measurement

7. The WIZ Probe – How Does It Work?
The field service technician mounts the WIZ Probe cannister to a dock, buoy or boat, and submerges the probe in the water source
Every 30 minutes, the WIZ probe takes a sample of the water, analyzes the nutrients, and remotely sends the data to a secure server
Data can be analyzed in the lab remotely to collect data on water quality in REAL TIME.

8. The WIZ Probe Technology
The WIZ Probe utilizes a 1.5 mL micro loop flow reactor to enable an extremely low consumption of reagents and calibrants
all chemistry happens inside the WIZ cannister
High-quality optical materials, combined with research-grade detectors and fluorimeters, ensure efficient use of reagents, with low waste generation
This allows the field service technician to leave the WIZ probe running remotely for up to one month
After one month, the field service technician replaces the bags of reagents, and replaces the waste bag

9. Back to the Contest: What Happened?
The WIZ probe showed reliable performance along six months of intensive field tests, monitoring river water, brackish water, and coastal water
Systea ultimately won the Nutrient Sensor Challenge due to its unique, rugged design, and reliable and accurate wet chemistry results
Two Deployments at the EPA in Cincinnati, with up to 20 placements planned in other research labs within the next year, including Boston, New Hampshire, and other sites in and around New England

10. Added Bonus: Collaboration with Agape Scientific
Due to demand on inquiries and a dedication to outstanding service and support in North America, Systea enlisted the help of Bethany Steevens and Agape Scientific
Agape Scientific installs, maintains, deploys, and provides consumables to WIZ customers for Systea in the US
Bethany Steevens will be in Cape Cod in June to present case studies in successful deployments to scientists from the EPA, USGS, NOAA, etc…

11. How Do I Get More Information?
For more information, please contact Bethany or Adam directly at 1
Visit for updates 2
Call (314) 3
Connect with Agape Scientific on LinkedIn and Instagram 4
Schedule a lab visit, or a more-detailed WebEx with us 1-2 weeks in advance 5

12. Midwest AOAC: THANK YOU!