Agilent
Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has announced an agreement with Dr. Shane Snyder
- an internationally recognized authority on water contamination from the
University of Arizona's Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering -
and the university's BIO5 Institute to work together to develop ways to detect
emerging contaminants in water. Emerging contaminants can include
pharmaceuticals, personal care products and other substances used in everyday
life.
The
collaboration is expected to increase the ability of scientists to accurately
detect contamination in water supplies in order to protect the environment and
public health.
"The
partnership with Agilent allows the University of Arizona to more effectively
influence water reuse and desalination strategies by ensuring that the required
water quality has been achieved for its intended use," said Dr. Snyder.
"Not only will we investigate known potential threats to water quality, we
will also bridge the gap between detection and health by developing
methodologies that can screen water for toxicity from multiple compounds."
The
concept of addressing contaminants in potable water as mixtures (as opposed to
separate chemicals) is of great interest to the regulatory, scientific and
public communities.
"This
collaboration will allow us to share applications developed by Dr. Snyder's
group in the area of water use and reuse with other researchers," said Joe
Weitzel, global environmental manager, Agilent. "Agilent is committed to
driving research that will ultimately benefit environmental and public health,
and there is no better partner to achieve this goal than Dr. Shane
Snyder."
The
collaboration with Agilent provides the university and BIO5 with unique
analytical capabilities. Using Agilent equipment, nearly any imaginable trace
organic or inorganic contaminant can be detected and analyzed, allowing for an
ultra-comprehensive analysis of water, including the development of chemical
signatures unique to a particular water source. This capability, added to the
already renowned water research facilities at the university, will help bridge
engineering and public health to improve water usage and quality.
The
collaboration will be centered at the BIO5 Institute on the University of
Arizona campus, where the infrastructure for cross-cutting work combining
biological and chemical research already exists.
About the UA College of
Engineering
The
University of Arizona College of Engineering in Tucson, Ariz., has 12
accredited academic programs offered by eight departments, including chemical
and environmental engineering, where Dr. Shane Snyder has been a faculty member
since 2010. The UA College of Engineering received more than $30 million in
research awards in 2010. More information about the college and its research
and innovation can be found at www.engineering.arizona.edu.
About BIO5
The
BIO5 Institute at the University of Arizona mobilizes top researchers in five
disciplines - agriculture, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, and basic science -
to find solutions to humanity's most pressing health and environmental
challenges. Since 2001, the institute's multidisciplinary approach has resulted
in improved food crops, innovative diagnostic devices, and promising new
therapies. Learn more at www.bio5.org.
About Agilent
Technologies
Agilent
Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a
technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, electronics and
communications. The company's 18,500 employees serve customers in more than 100
countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.4 billion in fiscal 2010. Information
about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.