Argus: A Revolutionary Water Monitoring Solution

Harpreet Singh Sareen's Innovative Plant-Based Nanosensor System

Argus was born out of the necessity to address water crises around the world, such as those in Flint, New Jersey, and Austin. Current methods of water monitoring are often too slow and expensive, with impurities only detected after they have caused significant harm. Argus, however, offers a continuous, electricity-free platform for water monitoring, providing real-time results that can help prevent potential disasters.

The uniqueness of Argus lies in its use of living plants as monitoring devices. The plants are injected with nanosensors, approximately 2nm in size, which reside within the leaves' intercellular space. As the plant naturally absorbs water from its environment, any impurities present in the water interact with the nanosensors, triggering a visible output within 15 minutes to 2 hours. This innovative approach contrasts starkly with traditional lab methods, which can take weeks to produce results.

The technology behind Argus is complex yet fascinating. The plant is injected with a DNAZyme sensor assay that reacts with Lead (Pb2 Heavy Metal), a common water pollutant. This interaction causes a reduction in the plant's fluorescence, which is proportional to the Lead(II) concentration. This optical readout system allows for real-time monitoring of lead levels in water, a feature not currently available in off-the-shelf sensors.

Argus is not just a scientific breakthrough, but also a design marvel. The system, including the plant and the imaging setup to read from inside the plant, measures 457mm x 821mm x 304mm. The design is sleek and compact, making it suitable for various environments, from riverbeds to residential areas.

Argus's development was a collaborative effort between Harpreet Sareen and Pattie Maes, and the project has been exhibited globally, including at the Science Gallery Bangalore and the Future of Everything WSJ Festival in NYC. The project, which started in 2017 and concluded in 2019, has already received the prestigious Silver A' Cybernetics, Prosthesis and Implant Design Award in 2021, a testament to its innovative design and potential impact.

In conclusion, Argus represents a significant leap forward in water monitoring technology. By harnessing the natural capabilities of plants and combining them with advanced nanosensor technology, Harpreet Singh Sareen has created a system that can continuously monitor water quality in real-time, offering a sustainable and efficient solution to a global problem. Argus is a testament to the power of innovative design and its potential to drive positive change in the world.