University of Waterloo water sensor wins 3rd place at Global WaterTech Challenge in Nanjing

Friday, October 25, 2019

Dr. Philippe Van Cappellen, Water institute member, Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor and Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate in Ecohydrology, recently attended the the 4th International Water Environment Management Summit (iWES) at the Singapore-Nanjing Eco Hi-Tech Island to participate in their first Global WaterTech Challenge.

Team photo

The Global WaterTech Challenge in Nanjing, China

Dr. Van Cappellen pitched two recently developed water technologies: a prototype multi-fibre optode field system for dissolved oxygen, and a novel DNA-based DGT (Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films) sensor for mercury detection, which was co-developed with fellow Water Institute member Dr. Juewen Liu, professor in the Department of Chemistry. The Water Institute is delighted to announce that the University of Waterloo technologies were awarded 3rd prize in this impressive international competition. The team will receive a cash prize and opportunities to demonstrate the technologies from the organizers.

The purpose of the Global WaterTech Challenge was to:

  • Discover globally pioneering, innovative and commercially viable water technologies
  • Promote the integration of top innovation resources in China and abroad
  • Develop the markets of the new technologies.

Applications for this year’s competition were under the theme “Discovery Innovation in Water Technology”.  The Administrative Committee of Jiangsu Nanjing Eco Hi-Tech Island Economic Development Zone and the Nanjing Jiangdao Environmental Science and Technology Research Institute co-hosted the event. The competition jury consisted of 12 senior experts from well-known universities, research institutes, design institutes, industry associations, enterprises and government. Out of 60 initial applications, 15 water science and technology innovation projects were selected as finalists and were invited to showcase their innovations at the event.  
 

Philippe

Dr. Van Cappellen pitching new technology at the Global WaterTech Challenge in Nanjing, China