Technology at Holland Sensor

Pushing the frontiers of water quality measurement

Innovation

Unmatched precision with Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) Technology

At the heart of Holland Sensor’s product line lies our revolutionary Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) technology. This advanced material, characterized by its exceptional hardness and chemical inertness, ensures unmatched durability and reliability in water quality sensing. The BDD sensor’s electrochemical prowess is enhanced by its ability to conduct electricity when doped with boron atoms, making it a superior choice for detecting a wide range of substances, including heavy metals, in water.

With pride, Holland Sensor is convinced to be world’s first company that managed to incorporate the complex BDD in a full-functioning, user-friendly digital instrument.

PRINCIPLE OF MEASUREMENT

PRINCIPLE
By varying the voltage applied to the BDD electrode, copper ions (Cu²⁺) can be reduced to metallic copper (Cu⁰), and then re-oxidized. These redox processes release electrons that generate a measurable current.

POTENTIOSTAT
The metals in the solution react with the BDD at specific applied voltages, this reaction leads to current being generated, a higher current corresponds to a higher concentration of metals. In order to detect metals at a parts-per-billion level, accurate voltage control and low current readability is critical. A high end potentiostat is used for this.

METHOD SCRIPTS
The detection of each metal requires a different ‘script’, this method script details how the voltage is applied throughout time. Along with the method scripts, additional reagents are also added to the measurement sample for optimum accuracy. For each metal, the type of reagent, its concentration, volume and a bespoke method script forms an encrypted ‘recipe’, stored in the control box.

In-situ calibration CORRECTS FOR interferents

This is an important characteristic of the measurement principle:

Unlike the current industry-standard laboratory methods, Holland Sensor’s portable instrument enables in-situ calibration. Through a second measurement step, the initial reading is calibrated, thereby effectively eliminating most matrix-related interferences. The outcome: significantly higher accuracy across a wide range of water types.

Technology Potential

Heavy metals (periodic table)

Now
Future
Potential targets

1 1.0078 H Hydrogen

3 6.9410 Li Lithium

14 9.0122 Be Beryllium

5 10.811 B Boron

6 12.011 C Carbon

7 14.007 N Nitrogen

8 15.999 O Oxygen

9 18.998 F Fluorine

10 20.180 Ne Neon

11 22.990 Na Sodium

12 24.305 Mg Magnesium

13 26.982 Al Aluminium

14 28.086 Si Silicon

15 30.974 P Phosphorus

16 32.065 S Sulfur

17 35.453 Cl Chlorine

18 39.948 Ar Argon

19 39.098 K Potassium

20 40.078 Ca Calcium

21 44.956 Sc Scandium

22 47.867 Ti Titanium

23 50.942 V Vanadium

26 55.845 Fe Iron

27 58.933 Co Cobalt

31 69.723 Ga Gallium

32 72.640 Ge Germanium

34 78.960 Se Selenium

35 79.904 Br Bromine

36 83.798 Kr Krypton

37 85.468 Rb Rubidium

38 87.620 Sr Strontium

39 88.906 Y Yttrium

40 91.224 Zr Zirconium

41 92.906 Nb Niobium

42 95.950 Mo Molybdenum

43 98 Tc Technetium

44 101.07 Ru Ruthenium

45 102.91 Rh Rhodium

46 106.42 Pd Palladium

49 114.82 In Indium

50 118.71 Sn Tin

51 121.76 Sb Antimony

52 127.60 Te Tellurium

53 126.90 I Iodine

54 131.29 Xe Xenon

55 132.91 Cs Caesium

56 137.33 Ba Barium

57 La Lanthanoids

72 178.49 Hf Hafnium

73 180.95 Ta Tantalum

74 183.84 W Tungsten

75 186.21 Re Rhenium

76 190.23 Os Osmium

77 192.22 Ir Iridium

78 195.08 Pt Platinum

79 196.97 Au Gold

81 204.38 Tl Thallium

83 208.98 Bi Bismuth

84 209 Po Polonium

85 210 At Astatine

86 222 Rn Radon

87 223 Fr Francium

88 226 Ra Radium

89 Ac Actinoids

104 261 Rf Rutherfordium

105 262 Db Dubnium

106 271 Sg Seaborgium

107 264 Bh Bohrium

108 277 Hs Hassium

109 278 Mt Meitnerium

110 281 Ds Darmstadtium

111 282 Rg Roentgenium

112 285 Cn Copernicium

113 286 Nh Nihonium

114 289 Fl Flerovium

115 289 Mc Moscovium

116 293 Lv Livermorium

117 294 Ts Tennessine

118 294 Og Oganesson

58 140.12 Ce Cerium

59 140.91 Pr Praseodymium

60 144.24 Nd Neodymium

61 145 Pm Promethium

62 150.36 Sm Samarium

63 151.96 Eu Europium

64 157.25 Gd Gadolinium

65 158.93 Tb Terbium

66 162.50 Dy Dysprosium

67 164.93 Ho Holmium

68 167.26 Er Erbium

69 168.93 Tm Thulium

70 173.04 Yb Ytterbium

71 174.97 Lu Lutetium

90 232.04 Th Thorium

91 231.04 Pa Protactinium

92 238.03 U Uranium

93 237.05 Np Neptunium

94 244 Pu Plutonium

95 243 Am Americium

96 247 Cm Curium

97 247 Bk Berkelium

98 251 Cf Californium

99 252 Es Einsteinium

100 257 Fm Fermium

101 258 Md Mendelevium

102 259 No Nobelium

103 262 Lr Lawrencium

Heavy metals

Now

Cu
Zn
Ag
Cd
Hg
Pb

Copper
Zinc
Silver
Cadmium
Mercury
lead

Future

Cr
Cr3+
Cr6+
Mn
Ni
As
As3+
As5

Chromium
Chromium III
Chromium VI
Manganese
Nickel
Arsenic
Arsenic III
Arsenic V

Potential targets

N
Mg
Al
Si
P
Ca
Sc
Ti
V
Fe
Co
Ga
Ge
Sr
Y
Zr
Nb

Nitrogen
Magnesium
Aluminium
Silicon
Phosphorus
Calcium
Scandium
Titanium
Vanadium
Iron
Cobalt
Gallium
Germanium
Strontium
Yttrium
Zirconium
Niobium

Mo
Tc
Ru
Rh
Pd
In
Sn
Sb
Ba
La
Hf
Ta
W
Re
Os
Ir
Pt

Molybdenum
Technetium
Ruthenium
Rhodium
Palladium
Indium
Tin
Antimony
Barium
Lanthanum
Hafnium
Tantalum
Tungsten
Rhenium
Osmium
Iridium
Platinum

Au
Tl
Bi
Ra
Ac
Rf
Db
Sg
Bh
Hs
Mt
Ds
Rg
Cn
Ce
Pr
Nd

Gold
Thallium
Bismuth
Radium
Actinium
Rutherfordium
Dubnium
Seaborgium
Bohrium
Hassium
Meitnerium
Darmstadium
Roentgenium
Coppernicium
Cerium
Praseodymium
Neodymium

Pm
Sm
Eu
Gd
Tb
Th
Pa
U
Np
Pu
Am

Promethium
Samarium
Europium
Gadolinium
Terbium
Thorium
Protactinium
Uranium
Neptunium
Plutonium
Americium

Development history

From Concept to proven Leading Technology

2007

first need to show / prove actual Cu and Ag concentrations in treated water to clients

2008

2011

EU funded, CRAFT project in collaboration with University of Florence, Hochfachschule Köln, SME’s, Expert consultants

2013

2017

Development of the first sensor prototypes by Holland Water.

2017

Official establishment of Holland Sensor as a distinct entity within the Holland Environment Group, focusing exclusively on sensor technology.

2018

European patent application for the Holland Sensor technology.

2020

2021

First commercial installations at major locations such as Schiphol Airport, demonstrating the practical efficacy of our sensors.

2021

2024

Industrialization and verification of the sensor

2024

Patented excellence (EP4073501 and patent pending)

2025

Mizu®️ Portable System ready for fieldtesting

Patented excellence

(EP4073501 and 24199450.8)

Our dedication to innovation is cemented by our robust patent portfolio. The unique assembly of the BDD sensor, including its special electrode configurations, is patented, ensuring that we remain leaders in sensor technology. This patented technology is not only a testament to our technical capabilities but also to our commitment to providing our clients with cutting-edge solutions.

Granted

Brief Description:
an electrochemical sensor device and a method of performing electrochemical sensing in a flowing liquid.
Status:
patent granted, no opposition filed
Reference:
Application No. 20825018.3 – 1001
European Patent No. 4073501

Pending

Brief Description:
a comprehensive fluid testing system incorporating an electrochemical Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) sensor device, and a computer implemented method for measuring different substances/analytes using the fluid testing system.
Status:
patent application filed, currently pending
Reference:
Application No. 24199450.8, submitted on 10 September 2024

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Advanced Sensor Technology and Software

Holland Sensor’s BDD technology offers a unique combination of features that set it apart from conventional sensors

Multi-element detection: Capable of detecting multiple heavy metals simultaneously in real-time.
Low background currents: Ensures high sensitivity and minimal interference, enhancing the accuracy of measurements.
Micro-array technology: Utilizes smaller, more precise arrays for faster and more accurate readings.
Environmental resilience: Operates effectively across a wide range of environmental conditions without degradation.

Software Integration

Our software platform is as innovative as our hardware. It supports real-time data collection, visualization, and analysis, empowering users to make informed decisions quickly. The software’s capability to integrate seamlessly with both our portable and stationary sensors allows for a flexible, scalable solution tailored to various industrial needs.

Differentiation from existing technologies

Unlike traditional laboratory-based methods, our sensors provide on-site, real-time data that eliminate the delays and complexities associated with sample collection and processing. The integration of BDD technology and our proprietary software platform sets us apart, offering a more sustainable, cost-effective, and adaptable solution for water quality monitoring across multiple sectors.

Always up to date

The Mizu® Sensor will always remain up to date. With over the air firmware updates, it is possible to follow all advancements and keep up with the latest features and measurement opportunities.

Technical Comparison

	Mizu® Sensor	Atomic absorption sepctroscopy (AAS)	Electronic sensors	Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Markets	Laboratories, industry (mining, chemical, pharma, food, oil, water treatment, lab)	Laboratories, industry (chemical, pharma, food, oil, water treatment)	Laboratories, industry (chemical, pharma, food, oil, water treatment)	Laboratories, industry (chemical, pharma, food)
Accuracy
Environment impact
Reliability
Pricing of analysis
Applicability
Validated
Digitalised
TCO*

*Total Cost of Ownership

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