Empowering Navajo Nation's Water Quality Monitoring through State-of-the-Art Paper-Electrochemical Sensors

The NSF-PREM research collaborative effort between Navajo Technical University (NTU) and Harvard University aims to address the critical issue of water contamination within the Navajo Nation. Decades of uranium mining and mineral extraction have left a lasting mark on the Navajo land and groundwater resources, necessitating effective solutions. The Nano-electrochemical Analysis and Energy Storage Laboratory (NEST LAB) at NTU has developed flexible paper-based sensors integrated with advanced electrochemical techniques to detect heavy metal concentrations in water samples. These sensors are cost-effective, easy to fabricate, and highly reliable, offering real-time monitoring capabilities. The projects core goal is to expedite water quality analysis and empower the Navajo community to detect potential contamination promptly. By distributing these sensors to local chapter houses, residents can independently assess groundwater quality, fostering a sense of ownership and proactive environmental stewardship. This partnership exemplifies the power of community-driven solutions and trains Navajo students to get involved in scientific innovation to safeguard the environment for future generations in the Navajo Nation.