Objective
SONATA will establish a new paradigm in laboratory automation by replacing pipettes, plates and tubes with contact-free, software-defined acoustic levitation. Building on ERC/FET-funded research and more than a decade of leadership in acoustic holography, AcoustoFab has advanced the technology from curiosity to TRL4–5 prototypes, validated through paid pilots at Diamond Light Source and with pharma partners. The resulting platform uses phased-array ultrasound to levitate, transport, merge and analyse droplets in mid-air, enabling contamination-free workflows that reduce sample loss, plastic waste and variability.
The project will advance our development from TRL5 to TRL8 by integrating a robust acoustic engine, spectroscopic modules, and a CE/FCC-certified enclosure. A cloud-based software stack will deliver workflow orchestration, compliance logging and intuitive automation. Over 36 months we will complete alpha and beta builds, validate workflows in proteomics, single-cell analysis and crystallography, and run an Early Access Partner programme with pharma, CRO and academic labs. Outcomes include a certified benchtop system, validated workflows and a scalable business model combining instrument sales with high-margin SaaS subscriptions for analytics and protocol libraries.
SONATA meets EIC Transition goals by validating breakthrough deep tech in relevant environments and preparing a credible commercialisation pathway. Its impact is threefold: scientific, enabling faster, cleaner structural biology and diagnostics; economic, reducing consumable costs while accelerating drug discovery; and environmental, eliminating large volumes of single-use plastics and chemical waste.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geology mineralogy crystallography
- social sciences economics and business business and management business models
- natural sciences physical sciences acoustics ultrasound
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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.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
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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-EIC-2025-TRANSITIONOPEN
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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.
E11DU LONDON
United Kingdom
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.