Real World Experience: Developing Novel Sensors - An Interdisciplinary Approach

The Development of environmental sensors to detect harmful heavy metals and phenols in water have been an increased concern in the last few years. Our interdisciplinary approach to an inquiry-based lab experiences with the development of modified electrode sensors to detect heavy metals and phenols simultaneously without the need for prior separation has built a stronger tie to real world issues. The problem-based approach of how to develop an electrochemical sensor for heavy metal detection has gained momentum due to increased exposure to Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). Pb and Cd are neurotoxins in children with chronic exposure and there is a need for a reliable method to analyze heavy metals (Lead and Cadmium) in environmental and biological samples. Thus electrochemical techniques were integrated with the development of Carbon Nanotubes with selective polymers modified on to electrode surfaces with nanoparticles to enhance the detection of phenols and heavy metals will be discussed with real-world applications integrated with industry. The students have shown an enhancement in content knowledge gains with the problem-based real-world analysis of sensor development compared to the lecture based format of teaching. Also, students\u27 collaboration among different universities/departments and industrial settings to learn novel instrumentation such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) have built upon their interdisciplinary approach as well