Project description
Writing gas sensing into the nanoscale
Accurate detection and discrimination of volatile gases remains a major challenge, as existing electronic sensing systems struggle to combine high selectivity, miniaturisation and integration of multiple sensing materials on a single chip. The EU-funded SENSE project will develop a direct-write nanofabrication platform based on electron beam induced deposition to advance electronic nose (eNose) technology. Overall, the project will enable nanometre-precise, site-specific growth of nanoporous carbon-rich and graphene-like films on microelectrode arrays to create multichannel gas sensors with tailored properties. It combines beam-controlled fabrication, image-guided automation and in situ processing, supported by advanced characterisation for reproducibility. This approach will deliver compact and selective eNoses for volatile organic compounds, with applications in catalysis, energy and photonics.
Objective
SENSE: Scanning Electron-beam Nanofabrication for SEnsors tackles a major bottleneck in electronic noses (eNoses), which rely on arrays of partially selective gas sensors. Current devices remain bulky and limited by the inability to integrate multiple distinct sensing materials on a single chip. SENSE introduces a direct-write approach for fabricating multichannel gas sensors using electron beam induced deposition (EBID). EBID enables local decomposition of adsorbed precursors with nanometre precision, allowing site-specific growth of nanoporous carbon-rich and graphene-like films, either pristine or doped, directly onto microelectrode arrays.
The project will (i) demonstrate graphitisation of organic and organometallic precursors into carbon-rich nanostructures with tailored composition, (ii) achieve precise site-specific integration of gas-sensitive materials onto commercial platforms, (iii) develop beam control and image-guided automation to ensure reproducibility, (iv) design and test multichannel sensors with diverse material compositions, and (v) establish a reproducible fabrication workflow anchored in advanced characterisation.
The methodology combines SEM-based deposition with in situ gas injection, substrate heating, and multi-technique feedback (Raman, FTIR, AFM-IR, XPS, CPEM). This platform enables programmable libraries of functionalised graphene-family materials on a single chip, eliminating masks and transfer steps.
Expected impacts include miniaturised, low-cost eNoses with improved sensitivity and selectivity across volatile organic compounds, and transferable material recipes for catalysis, energy storage, and photonics. The fellowship will strengthen the researcher’s expertise in nanofabrication, automation, and advanced microscopy, supporting their independent career in nanoscale materials engineering.
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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry volatile organic compounds
- social sciences sociology industrial relations automation
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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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.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
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-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-WIDERA-2025-TALENTS-01
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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.
708 00 OSTRAVA PORUBA
Czechia
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.