Objective
PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” are increasingly detected across the world. To date, more than 23,000 contaminated sites are identified and an additional 21,500 presumptive contaminated sites exist across Europe. PFAS are the leading cause of severe adverse health effects, ecosystem disruption, and escalating burdens on public health systems.
From 2026, the EU Drinking Water Directive tightens PFAS limits and pushes higher-frequency sampling. Meanwhile, industry’s gold standard (LC-MS/MS) returns results in weeks, which is too slow for regulatory compliance, thereby failing to meet the operational requirements of Water Treatment Plants (WTP). Hence, today WTP Operators urgently need solutions to contribute towards addressing the PFAS challenge, as current options fall short.
PFAST is Grapheal’s deep-tech answer to this challenge: a full-stack graphene sensing platform that brings PFAS analysis to the point of need, turning lab-bound PFAS testing into on-site decisions in minutes. Our technology is the fruit of 12 years of pioneering graphene research and today is protected by 8 patent families and 50+ patents covering materials, device architecture and electronics. PFAST leverages the unique properties of graphene—atom-thin transduction layer, high carrier mobility, and dense surface functionalisation—to achieve rapid, stable signals in complex water matrices. As a result, PFAST has 10x higher sensitivity than existing field-deployable PFAS solutions.
PFAST not only allows WTP Operators to meet pressing regulations, but also reduces their OPEX by enabling continuous water filter monitoring. Due to these benefits, Grapheal has received strong interest for its technology from Europe’s largest water utilities. Built and scaled in Europe under Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design principles, PFAST will strengthen EU technological sovereignty in advanced materials and smart sensing, positioning Europe as the first region to launch a graphene biosensor at scale.
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
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health
- engineering and technology environmental engineering water treatment processes drinking water treatment processes
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials two-dimensional nanostructures graphene
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture horticulture fruit growing
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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-ACC - HORIZON EIC Accelerator
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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-ACCELERATOR-02
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
38700 La Tronche
France
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.