Effective September 3, 2025, EQUINOX EVOLUTION SRL, a partner in the project titled “System based on artificial intelligence and optical, photonic, and electrochemical sensors for monitoring wastewater in high-risk environments – SISMED,” together with...
SISMED
Project title:
A system based on artificial intelligence and optical, photonic, and electrochemical sensors for monitoring wastewater in high-risk environments - SISMED
SISMED aims to develop an intelligent system for monitoring wastewater in high-risk environments, such as hospitals, treatment plants, slaughterhouses, farms, and the pharmaceutical industry.
The system uses optical, photonic, and electrochemical sensors to analyze water quality in real time, from both a chemical and microbiological perspective. These technologies deliver fast and accurate results without the need for manual sampling or the use of hazardous chemicals.
The system is equipped with a hydraulic module for self-cleaning and calibration, which keeps the sensors operating within optimal parameters. The entire platform is coordinated by AI-based software capable of self-adaptation and self-learning. It processes data collected from the sensors, detects any contamination, and transmits alerts or commands to adjust the water treatment.
The system offers a practical and safe solution for wastewater management and can be further expanded to applications in other fields, including drinking water purification plants or surface water systems.
FUNDING:
The Smart Growth, Digitalization, and Financial Instruments Program 2021–2027
IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD:
September 3, 2025 – May 2, 2028
BUDGET:
51,749,817.03 lei
NON-REIMBURSABLE FUNDING:
41,451,336.56 lei, of which ERDF contribution: 28,180,298.72
PROJECT CODE:
331741
PARTNERS:
- LIGHTNING NET LLC
- ROVISOPTICS LLC
- NATIONAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE FOR OPTOELECTRONICS INOE 2000 INCD / INOE2000
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION:
The project will develop an intelligent system based on optical, photonic, and electrochemical sensors for monitoring wastewater in high-risk environments. The system will be hydraulically operated and will include a self-cleaning and self-calibration module. The entire functionality of the system will be controlled by processes assisted by Artificial Intelligence with self-adaptive and self-learning capabilities. The project will open up new opportunities for private partners to market the system as a whole or in modules, depending on the needs of the beneficiaries, and to provide maintenance or system usage services.
The project aims to address these needs by providing an efficient and user-friendly solution that alerts users to potential contamination and determines whether additional wastewater treatment is necessary before discharge into receiving bodies of water. Optical sensors can determine the chemical and microbiological quality of wastewater in real time, without the need for sampling or the use of hazardous chemicals for processing. Through innovative approaches, detection techniques based on surface plasmon resonance can detect pathogens in liquid samples quickly, accurately, and at low cost, both in situ and in the laboratory.
Electrochemical sensors also detect various pharmaceutical substances quickly, simply, and cost-effectively, without the need for sample pretreatment, as is required in traditional analytical methods. All these features align with the current trend toward green analytical chemistry by reducing the negative environmental impact of analytical methods, lowering analysis costs, and increasing operator safety. To improve system performance, SISMED will be equipped with a miniaturized water treatment module for self-cleaning/calibration of the measurement system, with exposed components protected by anti-corrosion and anti-fouling coatings. The integrated system will be controlled by software based on artificial intelligence, complemented by data acquisition and processing.
SISMED is primarily designed and tailored for hospitals. However, it can also be implemented for other applications, such as wastewater treatment plants, slaughterhouses, farms, and the pharmaceutical industry, and can be further adapted to meet the requirements of other sectors, such as drinking water purification plants or surface water systems.
The main features included in the system are as follows:
- Continuous monitoring of water quality parameters
- Automatic periodic cleaning/calibration of the system
- Collection of fluid samples for laboratory testing (on a regular basis or at the discretion of the AI system following a suspected contamination)
- Providing control signals to optimize the water treatment process (varying treatment intensity, repeating treatment for limited periods, dilution by adding clean water, etc.)
- System prediction and self-calibration features, alarm notifications, and the ability to monitor and control the system remotely.
The system will consist of several modules that will be designed, developed, integrated, and tested during the course of the SISMED project.
The Sensor Module – consists of three submodules. These can be customized later based on the customer’s requirements.
- Plasmonic sensors – based on surface plasmon resonance. The sensors will be developed in collaboration between INOE and RovisOptics. The partners will improve the optical properties and performance of the sensors in detecting pathogens in wastewater and miniaturize the sub-module for in situ use. Testing of the plasmonic sensors will be conducted by INOE using various relevant media.
- Electrochemical sensors – these will be developed by INOE in collaboration with RovisOptics, with a focus on increasing the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensors for two types of antibiotics. Testing of the electrochemical sensors will be conducted at INOE using various relevant media.
- Commercial optical sensors – optical sensors will be purchased that offer the best balance between performance, price, and the range of measured parameters. Emphasis will be placed on measuring organic matter, as it is ubiquitous in aquatic environments and can be easily used to determine total organic carbon or biochemical oxygen demand. The performance of these sensors has already been demonstrated in relevant environments. In addition, standard sensors for water quality analysis will be included. Testing of commercial sensors will be conducted at INOE using various relevant environments.
Pumping/Cleaning/Calibration and Sampling Module. The module will be manufactured and tested by INOE and will ensure the cleaning of the sensor module (using deionized water and a cleaning solution) and verification of the cleaning efficiency (by measuring the properties of the distilled water after cleaning). Additionally, this module can dispense a calibration solution from a reservoir to calibrate one or more sensors. The module is equipped with vacuum sampling containers for collecting water samples at preset intervals or only in the event of specific occurrences, which can subsequently be measured using other laboratory analysis techniques.
- Command and Control/Data Acquisition Module. The module will include submodules for data acquisition, storage, interpretation, command, and control necessary to manage system functions and implement artificial intelligence algorithms for system optimization and AI-assisted corrections to improve data acquisition accuracy. The module will be developed by Lightning-Net and Equinox Evolution.
The proposed system collects data from digital sensors that measure various water quality parameters, such as pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and conductivity. This data is processed by a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that detects patterns and anomalies, anticipating potential water quality issues. Based on the decisions generated by the CNN, the system controls solenoid valves to redirect, adjust, or treat the water as required.
The data collected from sensors will be organized in a data management system that allows for easy extraction and analysis. The system must include features for filtering, searching, and visualizing historical data to identify patterns or analyze past events. Integrating a data management system can be useful for applications where continuous monitoring and performance analysis are critical.
This comprehensive digital data acquisition solution enables the optimization, monitoring, and maintenance of a robust, scalable, and high-performance system, and is applicable across a wide range of fields, from industrial equipment monitoring to critical infrastructure and automated control systems.
The system starts at a minimum maturity level of TRL4, supported by a maturity level broken down by the submodules of which it is composed, as follows:
- With regard to plasmonic sensors, the project is able to start at TRL 4 based on the results obtained from several research projects and publications or patents detailed in the section on “Project Maturity.”
- With regard to optical sensors, INOE has already reached TRL 7 following several research projects and publications or patents detailed in the “Project Maturity” section.
- In the field of electrochemical sensors, the project starts at TRL 4, with results validated in the laboratory for a range of analytes, following several research projects and publications or patents detailed in the section on “Project Maturity.”
- In the field of new materials and related technologies, the project starts at TRL 4, building on the results of several research projects and publications or patents detailed in the section on “Project Maturity.”
- In the fields of analytical chemistry, water treatment, and pollutant assessment, the project starts at TRL 4, based on the results obtained from several research projects and publications or patents detailed in the section on “Project Maturity.”
- The hydraulic systems are currently at TRL 8, based on the results of several research projects and publications or patents detailed in the “Project Maturity” section.
- Control systems / IT systems and AI – the project starts at a TRL8 technology readiness level as a result of several research projects and publications or patents detailed in the section on “Project Maturity.”
- Development and testing of the SISMED system’s component modules, following the completion of Activity 1: Industrial Research Activities;
- Development and testing of the SISMED prototype system following the completion of the activities under 1. Industrial Research Activities, involving the design, development, and testing of the system’s component modules, and the activities under 2. Experimental Development Activities, involving the integration of the components into a complete prototype system and its testing under real-world operating conditions;
- Certification of the SISMED prototype system—through the analysis of synthetic samples with known concentrations of analytes, certified reference materials, and actual wastewater samples, in a RENAR-accredited testing laboratory in accordance with SR EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 for wastewater samples, located within INOE 2000 (Environmental Analysis Laboratory, certificate no. LI 1178).
- Drafting and filing a patent application to protect the intellectual property rights of private entities and the research institute regarding the innovative results obtained through the development of the SISMED prototype;
- Establishment of the production line for the SISMED system, consisting of the equipment procured under Activity 5. Activities to implement the results obtained into production, following the determination of the method for putting the system developed through R&D activities into production. Specific production lines to establish the production capacity for SISMED-specific modules for each partner, based on their respective expertise. The production lines are designed to encompass the production capacity of the entire SISMED system among the three commercial partners involved in the SISMED project. The production infrastructure will operate under an open-source model for access to research infrastructure;
- Carrying out specific information and publicity activities with the aim of disseminating information about the project, in accordance with Activity 6: Information and Publicity Activities.
- Production line for the SISMED system, consisting of the equipment purchased under Activity 5. Activities aimed at implementing the results obtained, following the establishment of the methodology for putting the system developed through research and development into production.
- Patent application to protect the intellectual property rights of private entities and the research institute regarding the innovative results obtained through the development of the SISMED prototype.
- Certification of the SISMED prototype system – The system’s functionality will be certified by analyzing synthetic samples with known concentrations of analytes, certified reference materials, and actual wastewater samples. The method’s performance parameters (selectivity, specificity, limits of detection and quantification, repeatability, reproducibility, accuracy, and robustness) will be established for use in a real-world environment. For comparison and validation, wastewater matrix samples will be analyzed in parallel using standardized analytical methods in a RENAR-accredited testing laboratory in accordance with SR EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 for wastewater samples, located within INOE 2000 (Environmental Analysis Laboratory, certificate no. LI 1178). The parameters of the SISMED system will be compared with the legislative requirements regarding wastewater quality in Romania and at the European Union level. If the necessary performance parameters are not met, the design will be reviewed, and the necessary adjustments and optimizations will be made. Standard Operating Procedures will be developed for the use of the system in a real operating environment.
- SISMED Prototype System – Result of the following activities: 1. Industrial Research Activities involving the design, development, and testing of the system’s component modules; and 2. Experimental Development Activities involving the integration of the components into a complete prototype system and its testing under real-world operating conditions.
The content of this material does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the Government of Romania.
For detailed information on other programs co-financed by the European Union, please visit www.fonduri-ue.ro.