The 3-year PHOTOSENS  project aims for a disposable, mass-producible sensor chip for generic multi-parameter sensing applications, at an overall development cost of €6.85m

Key requirement is to perform screening tests without a specialised infrastructure. By combining nanophotonics, tailored polymer materials and mass-manufacturability, the project is challenging conventional analytical techniques which usually require expensive equipment and personnel.

The PHOTOSENS consortium brings together world-leading institutes and multinational companies across Europe.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland leads the programme, with the core nanophotonic technology provided by the University of Southampton (UK), novel silicone-based materials by Momentive (Germany), chemical functionalisation by TNO (the Netherlands) and the University of Vienna (Austria) with roll-to-roll mass manufacturing technology provided by Nanocomp (Finland) and 3D AG (Switzerland).  Philips (Netherlands) and Renishaw Diagnostics (UK) provide the application knowledge and demonstration environment.

VTT’s contribution is transferring nanophotonic structures into polymer structures by the use of UV nanoimprinting as well as integration of the multi-parameter sensor. 

“Renishaw Diagnostics is expecting new materials and sensors developed in the project to revolutionise photonics sensing applications,” says David Eustace  Renishaw Diagnostics project leader.

The company recently launched its first research use only (RUO) multiplex assay system which allows precious research samples to be ‘screened’ for 10 or more ‘targets’, from a single sample.

The RUO product is a truly transformative technology introduction, in advance of its fully regulated RenDx platform multiplex assay system, that allows researchers to generate rapid, multiplex screens for their own targets of interest and configured to support customers' own individual research.

“The Photosens project will open up new opportunities for silicones and silanes in the photonic and optical market. Development of these markets has gained momentum,” says Jos Delis from Momentive.