With the launch of the MikroGraph research project, a new Thuringian research network is starting work. The aim is to significantly improve the continuous monitoring of micropollutants in wastewater in accordance with the new EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. The Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs is funding the development of a highly automated and cost-effective on-site analysis system with over 2 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Contamination from micropollutants—such as pharmaceutical residues, pesticides or plasticisers—has so far mainly been recorded selectively through sampling and central laboratory analyses. With the amendment to the EU Urban Wastewater Directive of 10 April 2024, the EU is sending a clear signal for water protection: from 2035, large municipalities must reduce micropollutant contamination in wastewater by 80 percent—through more comprehensive data collection and targeted treatment.

Currently, micropollutants are usually analysed using individual samples that are transported to central laboratories for examination. This method is time-consuming and does not allow an immediate response to acute contamination. The research project ?MikroGraph? addresses this challenge with an innovative measuring system with integrated components made of two-dimensional (2D) materials that can detect the concentration of pollutants directly on site, enabling fast and reliable detection of pollutants.

The new Thuringian joint project brings together leading research institutions and companies from Thuringia:

• Friedrich Schiller University Jena (coordinator Prof. Dr Andrey Turchanin, AG Turchanin: development of new sensors based on the 2D material graphene, AG Stelter: further development of the separation column technology)
• Analytik Jena GmbH+Co KG (comparison with new reference mass spectrometry technology and existing analytics)
• Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (lithographic component production)
• IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH) & LUCAS Instruments GmbH (electronic data acquisition and control)
• microfluidic ChipShop GmbH (microfluidics development)

The MikroGraph system is based on a novel graphene field-effect transistor technology, which is combined with proven components from separation column and mass spectrometry.

?Our goal is a modular, highly sensitive and customizable measurement system that is suitable not only for wastewater treatment plants, but also for other applications in health and civil protection?, declares Prof. Dr Andrey Turchanin, coordinator of the project and Professor of Applied Physical Chemistry and Molecular Nanotechnology at Friedrich Schiller University Jena.

?The combination of highly sensitive graphene sensor technology and innovative laboratory technology opens up new possibilities for environmental analysis—both in research and in routine applications?, explains Oliver Klaeffling, Managing Director of the Analytik Jena Group. ?In this way, we are making an important contribution to the implementation of future EU regulations and to the sustainable safeguarding of water quality.?

In view of climate change, rising population figures and the growing demand for drinking water, water suppliers, industry and agriculture will be increasingly reliant on raw water from lakes, rivers and bank filtrates. At the same time, the increasing pollution of surface waters is becoming a growing challenge.?

New sensor systems can make a decisive contribution here to protecting consumer health while continuously monitoring the effectiveness of purification processes.

The new Thuringian research network has the potential to surpass the current state of the art in environmental analytics and significantly strengthen the location through new processes, products and services in the? areas of ?healthy living and health economy? and ?sustainable energy and resource use?.