Dec 16 2010
Minnesota-based, United Science announced that it has licensed a sensor technology that was developed at the University of Minnesota. The sensor has the ability to avoid toxic byproducts of industries and mining processes from stagnating in the environment. This helps to enhance the productivity.
Professor of College of Science and Engineering at the university, Philippe Buhlmann has created the ion selective electrode (ISE) fluorous sensor membrane. The design of this membrane technology will be completed by United Science. The company will later commercialize the technology, which is currently being tested in mining operations.
The ISE sensors are applied to identify and gauge a particular ion in chemical solutions that are used in food safety, health science and mining industries. The fluorous sensor membrane is highly durable, long-lasting, and it has enhanced selectivity and lower interference when compared to other ISE sensor membranes.
The fluorous sensor membrane, developed by Buhlmann, does not have glass, hence it is better suitable for applications in high-pressure, caustic environments like mining, and in food safety where broken glass is a serious problem.
With the license, United Science can serve the niche market such as mining where there is no alternative sensing technology.
Source: http://www1.umn.edu/