The objective of the project is to use bismuth nanoparticles to detect lead through color change

This process can be applied to TAP water drinking systems as an alternative to the use of gold nanoparticles.activities:the student team will research, analyze and characterize the ability of bismuth nanoparticles to detect lead ions in an application that typically uses gold nanoparticles. Bismuth, like gold, is considered environmentally nontoxic to humans, but is a lot less expensive than gold and can oxidize in its nanoparticle form to make visual color change detection a lot simpler. A control test using gold nanoparticles will be used to determine the viability of bismuth nanoparticles to detect lead.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:potential results include additional information on the performance of bismuth nanoparticles in lead detection and whether additional trials of this procedure are necessary. If bismuth is found to not perform in this procedure, IT provides researchers with a new understanding, and they are able to move in a different direction in replacing expensive gold nanoparticles. On the other hand, success would demonstrate that bismuth can be used in place of gold in the given lead detection procedure. The ability to use bismuth makes the procedure more affordable and therefore potentially more accessible to communities in need. Intended beneficiaries include indigenous and underserved communities in need of safe drinking water in minnesota and other U.S. Communities, as well as water quality and public health managers and wastewater treatment plants.