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Marine laboratories created on microchips

28 March 2007

Southampton researchers have created the world's first marine laboratories on microchips.

They are developing the novel micro devices to measure microbiology, nutrients and pollution in the world's oceans. The next generation devices will be able to operate in harsh environments without the need for bulky and expensive support systems.

The researchers, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, are developing two types of postage stamp sized chips. One counts and identifies individual phytoplankton (tiny floating plants) in the oceans; the other performs an array of chemical analyses by mixing seawater with reagents and monitoring the colour or fluorescence change that results.

The chips will be attached to ocean equipment such as ARGO floats - a global array of 3000 free-drifting floats that rise from a depth of 2000m every ten days to report data, such as temperature and salinity, via satellite transmission.

Project coordinator, Dr Matt Mowlem from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, said, "The oceans play a crucial role in the prosperity and future of our civilization. They are an important source of natural resources, a host to industry and also play a role in climate regulation. The development of these sensors will provide a new technology platform for marine scientists and will enable us to make major advances in the understanding of marine ecosystems."

Further information

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Dr Matt Mowlem
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
Tel: 0118 931 8900

Notes

1. The research was funded by a £1·75m grant from The Natural Environment Research Council and The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

2. The Natural Environment Research Council funds world-class science, in universities and its own research centres, that increases knowledge and understanding of the natural world. NERC is tackling the 21st century's major environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity and natural hazards. It leads in providing independent research and training in the environmental sciences.

3. The Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK's main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences. EPSRC is investing £650m this year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science.

4. The University of Southampton is a leading UK teaching and research institution with a global reputation for leading-edge research and scholarship. It is one of the UK's top 10 research universities.

5. The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton is a joint venture between the Natural Environment Research Council and the University of Southampton. The Centre is the national focus for oceanography in the UK with a remit to achieve scientific excellence as one of the world's top five oceanographic research institutions.

Briefing note: 07/07

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