Related Media Gallery for ‘Liquid forensics’ could lead to safer drinking water, MU study finds
July 8th, 2019
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Luis Polo-Parada
A team of scientists at the University of Missouri including Luis Polo-Parada is developing a rapid, inexpensive way to determine whether the drinking water is safe to consume. Based on their results, the scientists said they can determine changes in the physical properties of liquids.
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Gary A. Baker
A team of scientists at the University of Missouri including Gary A. Baker is developing a rapid, inexpensive way to determine whether the drinking water is safe to consume. Based on their results, the scientists said they can determine changes in the physical properties of liquids. Photo:
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Analyzing the data
A tattoo removal laser machine sends out a series of brief flashes of light each lasting about 10 nanoseconds. The flashes of light travel through a fiber optic cable wrapped on one end with paint-on liquid electrical tape. The cable’s end, submerged in the liquid, converts the laser light into sound. The sound is recorded by a microphone and the data is analyzed in real time by this computer. Photo:
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The instrument
The instrument is designed to analyze the quality of liquids using the photoacoustic effect, or the generation of sound waves after light is absorbed in a material. The MU scientists believe this might be the first use of this technology to analyze such small liquid samples. Photo:
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