Possible uses of selective hydrocarbon sensors within the marine environment

Locating hydrocarbon resource deposits using nanosensors

CSIRO is working with Curtin University of Technology and The University of Western Australia through the Wealth from Oceans Flagship to create nanosensors that will detect and differentiate various hydrocarbons in a marine environment.

• 27 August 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011

• The project
• Applications
• Current activities
• Partners

The project

Through the Wealth From Oceans National Research Flagship, CSIRO and researchers in Western Australia are working together to develop nanosensors designed to detect and differentiate hydrocarbons in a marine environment.

A number of different prototypes are being developed and tested simultaneously.

This multi-pronged approach aims to create small, robust nanosensors that are able to be integrated into communications and data-recording systems.

CSIRO’s ability to investigate the project from within multiple disciplines, along with previous achievements within the nanoscience field is greatly assisting the project’s development.

The systems are to work autonomously and supply data in real-time, meaning the nanosensors will have to be capable of delivering both of these features.

Applications

The major application of such nanosensors is the detection of hydrocarbon seeps, which may come from untapped oil or gas deposits beneath the seabed.

Further applications include:

• environmental monitoring of marine pollution
• gaining an increased understanding of changes in Australia’s oceans
• predicting changes and human impacts upon marine environments.

Current activities

A number of research activities are currently being undertaken, including:

• exploring multiple transduction mechanisms
• investigating multiple sensing mechanisms
• adapting prior CSIRO achievements in nanoscience to nanosensor development
• testing a number of conventional sensor platforms
• investigating theoretical modelling and synthetic chemistry.

Partners

The Wealth From Oceans Flagship project, led by CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering, is working in partnership with:

• CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering
• Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia
• The University of Western Australia.

Learn more about Nanosensors for ocean monitoring.