SafeDrop

Multimodal Photonic-Electronic Sensor Platform for Rapid Health and Environmental Diagnostics

Bio-inspired canine olfaction MZI + TFT K-cells ppb–level detection in minutes

A paradigm shift in chemical sensing — emulating the mammalian nose for real-time, on-site detection of pathogens, heavy metals, VOCs and more.

Learn more about SafeDrop Kick-off • 18–19 June 2026

32

K-cells

64

Channels

Exploring scalable array architecture

Horizon Europe Project

Rapid, on-site detection for a safer world

SafeDrop envisions a paradigm shift in multimodal chemical sensing via a bio-inspired platform emulating mammalian olfaction.

Combining silicon photonics (Mach–Zehnder Interferometers) with thin-film transistors (TFTs) in co-localised K-cells, the platform delivers high-dimensional, robust chemical fingerprints with laboratory-grade performance in a compact, field-deployable format.

Water Quality

Heavy metals & pathogens at ppb–ppt levels in real time

Healthcare

Point-of-care UTI diagnostics in minutes

Food Safety

Pesticides, toxins & spoilage detection

The Vision

A scalable, CMOS-compatible platform that fuses optical (ΔP) and electrical (ΔI) readouts from cross-responsive organic semiconductor coatings. Machine learning decodes the resulting high-dimensional fingerprints with >99% accuracy and >95% false-positive reduction.

TRL 3 → TRL 7 32 K-cells (explore 64) <1 W power Cartridge ≤ €10, scale up ≤ €5 Pump-free microfluidics Open PDK & ecosystem

Technology

A digital dog nose

32 co-localised K-cells (MZI photonic sensor + TFT electronic channel) functionalised with cross-responsive organic semiconductors

01

Photonic MZI

Evanescent-field enhanced interferometers with thermo-optic multiplexing and single Ge-on-Si photodiode readout

02

Thin-Film Transistor

Co-localised electrical readout delivering orthogonal selectivity via ΔI_DS

03

ESJET Printing

Precision deposition of >20 partially overlapping OSC coatings in <15 min per 32-cell array

04

AI + MIMO

>99% classification accuracy, >95% false-positive reduction, <1 s latency

Our Consortium

10 leading European organisations working together

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP)

Coordinator • Germany

Institutul De Chimie Macromoleculara Petru Poni (ICMPP)

Romania

Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK)

Italy

PHIX BV

Netherlands

Dublin City University (DCU)

Ireland

Munster Technological University (MTU)

Ireland

Flowphys AS

Norway

OLIVERIS TECH INCUBATOR Ltd

Ireland

Lancaster University

UK

Spike Renewables

Italy

Kick-off Meeting

18 – 19 June 2026

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP)

Geiselbergstraße 69, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany

Official project launch bringing together all 10 partners for strategic planning, work-package alignment, technical discussions and team building.

In-person at Fraunhofer IAP • Hybrid participation for consortium partners
All 10 consortium partners • 2-day programme
Work-package alignment, technical roadmap & team building

June

18

— 19

18 — 19 June 2026

Venue Fraunhofer IAP, Potsdam-Golm

Duration 2 days

Participants All 10 partners