AquaAlert Biobot: Bio-Based Metal Detection

BioBot is a solar-powered floating device designed to detect heavy metals—lead, mercury, and arsenic—in water using genetically engineered E. coli. By integrating synthetic biology and automated technology, BioBot provides real-time contamination alerts, enabling communities to take proactive measures before exposure leads to health crises. Traditional water testing methods require expensive lab equipment and take weeks for results, but BioBot offers rapid, on-site detection at a fraction of the cost. The device operates using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery powered by solar energy, making it sustainable and scalable. BioBot’s detection system uses UV light to activate bacterial fluorescence, which optical sensors measure to determine contamination levels. This data is then processed and displayed on an LCD screen. Designed for affordability and ease of use, BioBot can be deployed by local governments, NGOs, and communities, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.