Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GREENER (Single Photon source and detector based on novel materials for the detection of endocrine disruptors)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-04-30
With the project GREENER we will develop and provide for the first time a non-dispersive technique of a spectrometer as a nano-(opto)electronic system with an electrically pumped single photon source (SPS) and a highly efficient single photon detector (SPD) as innovative new systems building blocks with enhanced performance for the measurement of lowest absorptions. This is the first time that quantum technology has been applied to spectral sensing to take advantage of the significant noise reduction provided by the light source used, thus enabling a low-noise detection method.
The project duration of GREENER will be 36 months and includes 10 work packages (WP) (see PERT-chart below).
It will be coordinated by TUC with a separated WP (WP1 Project management) which includes the provision of all
necessary management plans and project quality/data management plan as well as all tasks of communication
between the consortium and with the EU commission. As the second administrative work package, WP 10 frames
the project to ensure successful dissemination of all knowledge gained and results developed.
WP2 to WP9 contain the scientific work of GREENER and start with a definition of requirements and set
corresponding specifications of the nanocomponents to be developed (QD and DNA origami) and system building
blocks (single photon source and detector) in WP2. The subsequent development of the nanocomponents in WP3 and
joint integration as a hybrid in WP4 to set up the single photon source takes place in close consultation with both
WP5, in which the development of the single photon detector takes place, and WP7, which contains the parameters
necessary for data analysis. Additionally, a data cloud will be created from all work packages the AI to be developed
requires. WP6 is dedicated to the overall system development and combines the developed system components of
SPS and SPD into a functional spectrometer by selecting the individual SPS for the desired measuring range and
adjustment of the optical path, as well as the integration of a suitable sample chamber in the form of a microfluidic
flow cell, which is developed in WP8. Part of WP8 is also the development of a suitable method for sample
concentration. This is to be carried out primarily label-free. With WP9, the project plan culminates in a validation of
the demonstrator built in WP6 against the hormones to be detected in initially pure samples, as well as in-field tests
with relevant samples from aquaponics.
It will be coordinated by TUC with a separated WP (WP1 Project management) which includes the provision of all
necessary management plans and project quality/data management plan as well as all tasks of communication
between the consortium and with the EU commission. As the second administrative work package, WP 10 frames
the project to ensure successful dissemination of all knowledge gained and results developed.
WP2 to WP9 contain the scientific work of GREENER and start with a definition of requirements and set
corresponding specifications of the nanocomponents to be developed (QD and DNA origami) and system building
blocks (single photon source and detector) in WP2. The subsequent development of the nanocomponents in WP3 and
joint integration as a hybrid in WP4 to set up the single photon source takes place in close consultation with both
WP5, in which the development of the single photon detector takes place, and WP7, which contains the parameters
necessary for data analysis. Additionally, a data cloud will be created from all work packages the AI to be developed
requires. WP6 is dedicated to the overall system development and combines the developed system components of
SPS and SPD into a functional spectrometer by selecting the individual SPS for the desired measuring range and
adjustment of the optical path, as well as the integration of a suitable sample chamber in the form of a microfluidic
flow cell, which is developed in WP8. Part of WP8 is also the development of a suitable method for sample
concentration. This is to be carried out primarily label-free. With WP9, the project plan culminates in a validation of
the demonstrator built in WP6 against the hormones to be detected in initially pure samples, as well as in-field tests
with relevant samples from aquaponics.
Competitive advantages generated by the GREENER project in the aquaponic and hydroponic industries.
The aquaponic and hydroponic market represents an extremely interesting opportunity for the GREENERs’
solutions. In the next future, this market is expected to growth due to benefits that aquaponic and hydroponic
emerging techniques provide over conventional farming in terms of sustainability and maximization of food
production effectiveness. The global aquaponic and hydroponic systems and equipment market is expected to reach
$2.74 billion by 2026 [24], with a CAGR of 14.80% during the forecast period spanning 2021-2026. The GREENER
project will unlock significant advantages for safety control of products in these industries. Thanks to GREENER it
will be possible for aquaponic growers and breeders to easily detect the presence of hormones in water used for the
cultivation of fish and plants. In this way, producers can be sure that they are using uncontaminated water for the
production cycles with no prohibited and harmful substances in it, such as some growth hormones often coming from
the residues of animal farms that contaminate the underground aquifers. A further advantage is the possibility of
monitoring some hormones and peptides of interest for the production cycles; these hormones and peptides can give
indications on the development phases of the plants and the reproduction phases of the fish. Thus, for the countries
that allow the use of hormones for breeding, it will be possible to monitor the quantity of hormones actually needed
and used, without having unnecessary dispersion of hormones and peptides in the environment. Furthermore, there
is a huge competitive advantage for all regulatory bodies and organizations responsible for controlling this type of
crops or in charge of the environmental monitoring for irrigation, domestic, or wastewater monitoring, since the wide
adoption of GREENER technology by producers will drastically reduce the cost of periodic analyses.
The aquaponic and hydroponic market represents an extremely interesting opportunity for the GREENERs’
solutions. In the next future, this market is expected to growth due to benefits that aquaponic and hydroponic
emerging techniques provide over conventional farming in terms of sustainability and maximization of food
production effectiveness. The global aquaponic and hydroponic systems and equipment market is expected to reach
$2.74 billion by 2026 [24], with a CAGR of 14.80% during the forecast period spanning 2021-2026. The GREENER
project will unlock significant advantages for safety control of products in these industries. Thanks to GREENER it
will be possible for aquaponic growers and breeders to easily detect the presence of hormones in water used for the
cultivation of fish and plants. In this way, producers can be sure that they are using uncontaminated water for the
production cycles with no prohibited and harmful substances in it, such as some growth hormones often coming from
the residues of animal farms that contaminate the underground aquifers. A further advantage is the possibility of
monitoring some hormones and peptides of interest for the production cycles; these hormones and peptides can give
indications on the development phases of the plants and the reproduction phases of the fish. Thus, for the countries
that allow the use of hormones for breeding, it will be possible to monitor the quantity of hormones actually needed
and used, without having unnecessary dispersion of hormones and peptides in the environment. Furthermore, there
is a huge competitive advantage for all regulatory bodies and organizations responsible for controlling this type of
crops or in charge of the environmental monitoring for irrigation, domestic, or wastewater monitoring, since the wide
adoption of GREENER technology by producers will drastically reduce the cost of periodic analyses.