Mn Sense: Manganese Ion Detection Kit for Contaminated Water Sources

     Manganese ions (Mn2+) are essential minerals for our body when consumed in appropriate amounts. However, an excess can cause kidney problems and potentially lead to brain disorders in young children. Moreover, it can affect the color and taste of water. Researchers from Nanotech, in collaboration with the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), have developed "Mn Sense" – a simple and fast detection kit for manganese ion contamination in water sources. This kit is capable of detecting even low concentrations of these ions.

     The Mn Sense kit utilizes molecular-level sensor technology that is specifically designed to interact with manganese ions in water. Once these molecules capture the manganese ions, the color of the clear, colorless solution changes to a brownish-orange. This color change is proportional to the amount of manganese ions in the water. However, discerning this color change with the naked eye can be challenging in terms of accuracy and numerical results. Therefore, the kit is used alongside the DuoEye reader, a portable color reader developed with the Nectec research team. This small, lightweight device is easy to carry and can transmit measurement data to a cloud storage system via Wi-Fi. This makes it ideal for field-level application.

     Mn Sense stands out for its field suitability. It is easy to use, with only four steps involved, and delivers quick results within one minute. Furthermore, it supports both semi-qualitative analysis, by observing color change in the solution or reading the intensity via a standard color strip, and quantitative analysis with the DuoEye color reader. Most importantly, its cost is three times lower than imported alternatives.

     Mn Sense has also received international recognition with a silver medal from the "International Trade Fair – Ideas, Inventions, and New Products" (iENA2022) held in Nuremberg, Germany.

Data updated on January 25, 2023
Source: National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
Tel. +66 2564 8000