Project description
Quantum dot technology to enhance biosensor accuracy
Wearable biosensors often provide inaccurate readings and can detect a limited range of biomarkers because they rely on separate light-emitting and detecting components. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the QDots-ID project will create a single device that combines both functions, operating in the infrared range. The proposed device will use quantum dots to deliver compact, energy-efficient sensors that work reliably across all skin tones. Quantum dots will be functionalised with short inorganic ligands to ensure stability and efficient charge transport, then processed into uniform thin films. These films will be integrated with charge transport layers into a single diode stack, functioning as both an LED and a photodetector. QDots-ID outcomes hold implications for early diagnostics and personalised healthcare.
Objective
QDots-ID is a 24-months research project focusing on the development of a CMOS-compatible integrated photonic platform capable of short-wave infrared (SWIR) emission and detection within a single device.
Current wearable biosensors rely on separate light-emitting diode (LED) and photodetector (PD) modules operating in the near-infrared (NIR) range, which restricts biomarker coverage and reduces accuracy across different skin tones. QDots-ID will develop high-quality, RoHS-compliant InAs quantum dot (QD) ink using advanced passivation strategies to suppress trap states and non-radiative recombination losses. The QDs will be functionalized with short inorganic ligands to ensure colloidal stability and efficient charge transport, and then processed into uniform thin films. These optimized films will be integrated with tailored charge transport layers into a single diode stack operating in the SWIR range, exhibiting dual functionality as an LED under forward bias and as a PD under reverse bias, which eliminates the need for discrete modules. Proof-of-concept integration with a CMOS chip will demonstrate a compact, energy-efficient dual-function SWIR device suitable for real-world applications.
This innovation enables low-cost wearable biosensors for early diagnostics and personalized healthcare, operating beyond the NIR range to expand biomarker detection and improve accuracy across skin tones, and aligning with European Green Deal objectives for sustainable health technologies.
During the project, the researcher will learn and adopt advanced methods from nanochemistry, thin-film engineering, spectroscopy, device physics, and biomedical diagnostics to design, fabricate, and validate dual-function SWIR devices.
The project will be carried out by the researcher at Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), under the supervision of Prof. Arjan J. Houtepen. The applying researcher is Dr. Awais Ali (M), currently a post-doctoral researcher at Korea University, Seoul (KR).
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors biosensors
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors optical sensors
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2628 CN Delft
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.