1. Automated Water Analyser Computer Supported System (AWACSS) Developing a cost-effective, on-line, water-monitoring biosensor that will measure small organic pollutants in short-time with remote control and surveillance. Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen: Project Management and Surface Immunoassay Development Central Research Laboratory: Instrument Hardward Design Siemens: Electronics, Internet Communication, and Market Analysis. Optoelectronics Research Centre: Integrated Optical Chips Environmental Institute, Kos: Instrument Design and Field Tests-Slovakia King's College London: Immunochemsitry Institute of Chem. & Environ. Chem. IIQAB: Instrument Design and Field Tests-Spain DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser: Instrument Design and Field Tests-Germany Funding: This Project is funded under the 5th Framework Programme: Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Development. (1.7 million € contribution from the European Community.) Project Description Partners: Duration: 3-Year, Research and Technological Development Project (Starting March, 2002.) Contract #: EVK1-CT-2000-00045 Website: http://barolo.ipc.uni-tuebingen.de/awacss Methodology: Immunoassay coupled with Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Detection laser waveguide PD Lock In filter PC absorbing coating bevelled polished end-face samples waste FIA - System polymer fibres inject Binding-Inhibition Immunoassay Motivation Monitoring of Industrial Plants  Contamination Monitoring of Side Streams  Origin of Pollution Monitoring of Coasts  Direction of Pollution Monitoring of Estuaries  Origin of Pollution European Directives and regional regulations have begun to demand on-line monitoring of water catchment areas for an ever-expanding list of pollutants. Little technology currently exists that can monitor water sources at frequent intervals and at a reasonable cost. The AWACSS project intends to help meet the needs of both todays and tomorrows water managers. Instruments will be developed that will measure a variety of small organic pollutants. The instruments will be networked so that sources will be monitored with trend analysis and early-warning capabilities. Innovations Expanded multi-analyte analysis capability allowing for up to 32 simultaneous analyte measurements. Immunochemical reagents are being developed for a host of small organic water pollutants, such as, Atrazine, Irgarol, Propanil, Caffeine, and Ethylhexlphthalate. Novel design approaches to the optical detection and fluidics including miniturized integrated optics and microfluidics. Limits of detection will match EU prescribed requirements. Reagent volumes will be reduced. Intelligent remote surveillance and control that will allow for unattended continuous monitoring. Instruments will be rugged and easy to handle by untrained personnel. Measurement Stations Local Intelligence Monitoring Data Analysis Control Station Global Intelligence Monitoring Data Analysis Data Recording Analysed Data Alerts Status Information Call for Measurements Manual Device Control Communication via the Internet Microfluidic Channel Inlet port Outlet port Fluidics Deliver Immunoreagents Specific to 32 Different Analytes Transducer Illuminates 32 Analyte Windows Detection Array Monitors 32 Separate Signals Laser Source Results and Progress to Date A prototype Integrated-Optical Chip waveguide to conduct light to 32 discrete analysis windows has been largely realised. A multi-media tutorial has been constructed that allows quick, low-cost training of the instrument's fundamental chemistry, software, and operation. The microfluidic flowcell has been designed and preliminarily tested with flow tests and mathematical flow simulations. The instrument hardware components have been selected and there connections and housings designed. Polyclonal antibodies directed against a variety of small organic water contaminants have been isolated and their corresponding analyte derivatives synthesised. A surface spotting procedure has also been developed. The water monitoring groups have catalogued contaminant levels at various European water sites and addressed water matrix effects relating to the AWACSS immunoassay chemistry. The first phase of a market survey has been conducted addressing relevant markets.