Fundamental Breakthrough in Detection of Atmospheric Free Radicals

Project Information

RADICAL

Grant agreement ID: 899282

DOI

10.3030/899282

Project closed

EC signature date 28 May 2020

Start date 1 November 2020

End date 31 January 2025

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)

Total cost

€ 3 235 368,75

EU contribution

€ 3 220 108,75

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK - NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - RADICAL (Fundamental Breakthrough in Detection of Atmospheric Free Radicals)

Reporting period: 2023-05-01 to 2025-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Atmospheric radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals, play a crucial role in controlling air pollution, maintaining climate balance, and protecting human health. However, detecting these radicals can be quite challenging due to their short lifespans and low concentrations in the atmosphere. Current monitoring methods rely on large and expensive lab equipment, which limits their use for real-time air quality monitoring.

To tackle this issue, the RADICAL project has developed compact and affordable sensors that can detect these radicals. Using innovative nanotechnology, the team has created new devices that are suitable for real-time monitoring of the atmosphere. Initially, these sensors were tested in the lab to see how they responded to different radicals. After proving their effectiveness, they were tested outdoors to evaluate their performance in real-world conditions. The sensors show strong sensitivity to ozone and hydroxyl radicals, providing valuable data for managing air pollution, studying climate change, and safeguarding public health.

The impact of RADICAL goes beyond environmental science. The advancements made in sensor technology can also improve health monitoring, enhance industrial safety, and support smart environmental systems. These new sensors are more compact than traditional options, making them suitable for integration into smart systems that monitor air quality.

As the RADICAL project ends, its findings pave the way for bringing these radical sensors to market. Future efforts will focus on making the sensors even more durable, conducting further field tests, and forming partnerships with businesses to ensure this technology reaches a wider audience. The RADICAL project marks a significant step forward in atmospheric research and environmental protection, offering a promising solution to a major challenge in monitoring air quality.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The RADICAL project has developed miniaturised silicon-based sensors for real-time atmospheric radical detection. Radicals impact air pollution and climate but detecting them has been hindered by high costs and complex methods. RADICAL has created compact, low-cost, and sensitive sensors for scientific research and environmental monitoring.

A key achievement was optimising silicon nanowire sensors through a reproducible top-down fabrication process, ensuring high-quality production. The electrical and structural characterisation of these devices confirmed their suitability for radical detection. Organic sensor molecules were developed to enhance sensor selectivity and stability, with techniques applied for detecting nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and hydroxyl radicals.

The RADICAL sensors have been extensively tested in laboratories and real-world environments. Their electrical response was analysed for sensitivity to atmospheric radicals, with clear responses observed to ozone and hydroxyl radicals in controlled experiments at the Irish Atmospheric Simulation Chamber (IASC). The optimised sensors were also tested at an urban monitoring station, confirming their suitability for environmental networks.

The project has emphasised dissemination and impact for long-term benefits. Since the beginning of the project, RADICAL has maintained a very active website and social media accounts with numerous guest blogs, custom infographics, and videos. All publications and datasets are Open Access on the project's Zenodo repository. The team targeted key academic and industry conferences such as ASIC and established a pilot collaboration with air cleaning company Luper Technologies. A final project symposium established new industry relationships and these, along with a recent feasibility study, are guiding the future commercial pathway.

The RADICAL project bridges lab research and real-world applications, offering a scalable and cost-effective alternative for radical monitoring. These sensors can improve environmental monitoring through real-time radical detection, support industrial safety, and integrate into smart monitoring systems. Additionally, it opens commercial pathways via industry collaborations and potential start-ups, advancing atmospheric science and sensor technology for future innovations in air quality monitoring and environmental protection.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The RADICAL project has advanced atmospheric radical detection by overcoming the limitations of traditional monitoring techniques. Conventional methods require large, costly, and complex laboratory instruments, limiting real-time monitoring. RADICAL has developed miniaturised silicon-based sensors that are compact, cost-effective, and highly sensitive. They successfully detect radicals like hydroxyl with improved selectivity and stability. Laboratory validation and deployment has confirmed their feasibility for air quality assessments and climate studies.

Key milestones include optimising sensor fabrication, developing functional coatings, and validating performance in various conditions. The final phase expanded to real-world testing, ensuring accuracy across atmospheric variations. RADICAL engaged with industry for IP protection and explored commercialisation pathways. Dissemination included scientific publications and collaborations to maximise impact.

Scientifically, RADICAL transformed atmospheric monitoring, providing a real-time solution for radical detection. The technology has broader applications, including industrial safety and smart sensor networks. It enhances climate and air quality research by improving pollution assessments. Economically, RADICAL's low-cost monitoring reduces dependence on expensive techniques and fosters commercial opportunities and collaborations.

Societally, it has the potential to improve public health by better tracking of pollutants. High-resolution radical data can enable more effective air quality regulations. The project also supports sustainability goals, aiding climate change mitigation.

As RADICAL concludes, it bridges the gap between research and real-world application, positioning miniaturised sensors for future market adoption. Its findings lay a foundation for ongoing innovation in air quality monitoring and environmental sustainability, marking significant progress in atmospheric science and sensor technology.

A project schematic showing the key tasks for RADICAL, and the consortium responsibilities.

Live illustration capturing the roundtable discussion from the RADICAL symposium in Jan 2025

How atmospheric radicals such as nitrate (NO3) transform the night-time air.

A diagram showing the key benefits and applications of the RADICAL sensor.