POCATELLO, ID – Researchers at Idaho State University have developed an inexpensive, portable sensor that uses selective reaction chemistry to detect cyanide in drinking water, a press release issued by the American Chemical Society said.
The online, real-time technology uses a flow cell that allows water to react with the gold electrode of a piezoelectric crystal to indirectly sense cyanide through the dissolution of metallic gold, according to a research abstract describing the sensor.
Devices currently used to detect cyanide in drinking water take a long time to produce results, are not precise, and require large samples and specially trained operators, the release noted.
The sensor developed by Idaho State University scientists identifies contaminants instantaneously and targets the specific form of cyanide harmful to humans, the release said.
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