Call for Papers
Recent Developments in Sensors and Sensor Networks for Contaminants in Environmental Systems
Division of Environmental Chemistry
234th National ACS meeting in Boston on August 19-23, 2007
Patrick L. Brezonik,
Program Director, Environmental Engineering CBET 565
National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230
Phone: 703 292-7945, Fax: 703 292-9098, pbrezoni@nsf.gov
Cindy Lee
Program Director, Environmental Sustainability CBET 565
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230
Phone: 703 292-5356, Fax: 703 292-9098, cmlee@nsf.gov
The National Science Foundation, other federal agencies, and the private sector have made major investments in developing new sensor technologies to measure chemical and biological contaminants in aquatic environments. Rapid advances also have been made in the cyber infrastructure needed to link sensors together into spatially distributed environmental networks. This session will focus on recent developments to produce more robust and reliable sensors for chemical and microbial contaminants in aquatic systems. Sensor technologies measure three types of environmental properties—biological, chemical, and physical. Biological sensor technologies considered the least mature, but rapid advances are occurring in the development of such devices based on MEMS, nanoscience, and molecular biology/genomics technologies. Chemical sensors are being developed that can detect a wide range of substances in a variety of environmental systems such as the vadose zone, aquifer systems, sediments, and fresh and salt waters. Issues of reliability, sensitivity, selectivity, and robustness still are major limiting factors for widespread use of chemical sensors in natural aquatic systems. Sensor technology to detect physical phenomena is the most mature, but key issues remain, such as improving sensor robustness and abilities to measure physical properties at fine scales. Research is underway to enhance the lifetime of sensors in the environment, make sensors robust enough to withstand severe conditions, resist biofouling, and decrease their power requirements.
Abstracts are welcome that address the above and related research issues. Suggested topics include descriptions of new sensors for microorganisms or chemical contaminants, results from deployment of sensors or networks, and evaluation of the functioning of sensors or networks.
Short abstracts should be submitted by April 1, 2007 using the ACS online system (OASYS) at http://oasys.acs.org/. This division also requires an extended abstract that must be submitted to the symposium organizers by April 1, 2007, using the instructions posted at http://envirofacs.org. Extended abstracts (2-5 pages including figures, tables, and references) should be submitted by email as Word file attachments with a subject line “ACS Abstract” to Patrick Brezonik (pbrezoni@nsf.gov) or Cindy Lee (cmlee@nsf.gov). Please label the abstract file with the ACS abstract number and first author’s last name.