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Market introduction of a revolutionary lab-on-a-chip Micro-Gas-Chromatograph for a cost-effective management of natural gas

Objective

The Natural Gas industry is demanding for accurate and cost-efficient analytical technology to control internal processes along the whole supply chain. In particular, operators require analytical devices for gas chromatography able to ensure the strict safety and quality standards enforced by regulators. This industry is moving towards the use of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) for process control, as these microchips can integrate miniaturized laboratory functions using extremely small fluid volumes, thus increasing accuracy while reducing analysis time.

Pollution, in collaboration with the Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (CNR-IMM), has developed a new MEMS for gas chromatography (MicroGC) which integrates a unique analytical MEMS-Column capable to obtain the best performances never achieved in the market. Our technology, named picoGC, with proven and measured advantages, is capable to face current limitations in MicroGC performances and manufacturing process. On the one hand, picoGC increases sensitivity (x 2) and linearity (x 3.5) in analysis compared to current MicroGC, being capable to preform standardized measurements in less time (1/2) and at a lower price (30-50%). On the other hand, picoGC manufacturing process will be more automated and compatible with current processing technologies.

Pollution has partnered with Micronit GmbH for the future mass production of the microchips, which will be further integrated by Pollution and commercialised as a single and robust analytical device. During this project, Pollution, Micronit and CNR-IMM will integrate the tested analytical column into a complete MEMS-prototype and to validate the first batch of picoGC pre-series. Pollution will launch into the market a complete MEMS-based MicroGC range of analysers for natural gas analysis in 3 commercial applications: control of odorants, analysis of gas composition and measurement of the heating value of natural gas.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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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.

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.

SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017

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Coordinator

POLLUTION SRL
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 314 817,43
Address
VIA GUIZZARDI 52
40054 BUDRIO BO
Italy

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Nord-Est Emilia-Romagna Bologna
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 1 878 310,62

Participants (1)

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