New method for water quality testing evolved

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 14

The scientists and researchers at Lovely Professional University (LPU) have earned a patent for an invention entitled ‘a novel method for water quality parameter evaluation using machine learning.’

Pulsing that water quality testing is an important part of environmental monitoring, LPU scientists used an innovative way of parameter monitoring using ‘machine learning’. They feel when water quality is poor it affects not only aquatic life but the surrounding ecosystem as well. Water quality parameters include chemical, physical, and biological properties.

Through novel machine learning technique, LPU scientists have measured a variety of properties to determine the quality as per the wants of society. These include temperature, acidity, dissolved solids for specific conductance, particulate matter, dissolved oxygen, hardness and suspended sediment. They especially emphasised on more important biological parameters which determine the quality of drinking water, in terms of a direct effect on human health. Here, they also identified quality affecting bacteria, protozoa, virus, algae and more.

LPU’s research and innovation team, comprising executive dean Prof Dharam Buddhi, Assistant Dean Dr Runjhun Tandon and Dr Sandeep Bansal, informed that machine learning (ML) was used for accurately specifying the importance of parameters in the evaluation of water quality. For example, the ‘pH’ parameter contributes more than the temperature of water in modifying the quality of water. Also, the usage of ML works efficiently in different environments and conditions.

Chancellor Ashok Mittal holds that LPU is ever focused on finding solutions for social and real-time challenges. He adds that the varsity has regularly been contributing towards technological advancement with a vision to empower Indian and global citizens. He said that the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) at LPU houses a wide range of high-end instruments for leading research in science and technology to higher levels. “These help the faculties, research scholars and students to carry out globally competitive research in basic, applied and medical sciences. Some of the social problems solving patents by LPU are sugar-free ayurvedic asava – a chemical-free herbal solution for diabetics, algae-based air purifier, cost-effective bio-filter, smart drug delivery system, flying farmer for smoothening agricultural processes in the fields, pendant kavach to maintain social distancing amid the pandemic, and many more”, he added.

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