A sensor made from a skin-inspired material promises real-time, on-site water quality monitoring with millisecond response times, according to a new study published in Nature Communications. The “ReSURF” device – short for recyclable, stretchable, ultrafast, robust, and self-healing film – detects contamination through electric signals generated by the movement of analyte-laden water droplets across its surface.
Developed by researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the device integrates a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with a water-repellent interface formed through rapid microphase separation. This design enables the material to convert mechanical energy from droplet movement into electrical signals within approximately six milliseconds – fast enough for continuous water surveillance applications.
“The ReSURF sensor can detect various pollutants, such as oils and fluorinated compounds, which are challenging for many existing sensors,” said study lead Associate Professor Benjamin Tee in a press release. “This capability, together with unique features such as self-powered, self-healing, reusability and recyclability, positions ReSURF as a sustainable solution for real-time, on-site, and sustainable water quality monitoring.”
Unlike traditional electrochemical or optical water sensors that rely on reagents, external power, or bulky instrumentation, ReSURF is fully self-powered and recyclable. The thin, transparent sensor is also stretchable and can recover from mechanical damage via autonomous healing, allowing it to function in harsh environments without replacement.
Mechanistically, when droplets containing salts, oils, or organic pollutants contact the ReSURF surface, they slide off quickly, generating voltage signals through triboelectric charging. The signal amplitude and shape vary with the chemical identity and concentration of the analytes, enabling discrimination between contaminants. In one proof-of-concept test, the sensor distinguished between oil and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a common waterborne pollutant, when mounted on a soft robotic platform.
The sensor consistently responded to PFOA at concentrations as low as 1 ppm, with distinct voltage patterns compared to pure water or other analytes. The self-healing and recyclable properties were verified through multiple reprocessing and mechanical damage cycles without significant signal degradation.
The researchers suggest the technology could be deployed in agriculture, wastewater treatment, and remote environmental monitoring. Future developments will aim to improve detection specificity, integrate wireless data transmission, and explore greener material formulations.
“We envision this platform as a foundation for the development of more intelligent and responsive water quality monitoring systems,” said Tee.
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