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.
The system integrates 32 multimodal K-cells, each combining silicon photonic Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZI) with organic semiconductor thin-film transistors (TFT) to generate synchronous optical (ΔP) and electrical (ΔIDS) signals from identical analyte interactions. This dual-mode architecture achieves >20dB signal-to-noise improvement versus single-modality sensors, enabling robust pattern-based recognition analogous to mammalian smell.The platform employs cross-responsive organic semiconductor coatings applied via high-resolution (<10μm) electrostatic jet (ESJET) printing, creating overlapping chemical fingerprints decoded by AI-driven MIMO analytics with >99% classification accuracy. Thermo-optic multiplexing enables sequential interrogation using minimal optical components, achieving <1W total power consumption in a <2cm² footprint. The modular design separates reusable readers (~€1,000) from disposable sensor cartridges (<€5), ensuring economic viability. SafeDrop addresses critical European needs across four validated use cases: water quality monitoring (CS1), urinary tract infection diagnostics (CS2), food safety (CS3), and air quality assessment (CS4). The platform achieves <1ppb heavy metal detection, <100CFU/mL pathogen sensitivity, and <30-minute time-to-result, matching laboratory gold standards while enabling decentralized deployment. The 10-partner consortium spans 7 EU countries, combining RTOs, universities, and SMEs across the complete value chain from materials to market. Over 48 months, SafeDrop will advance from TRL3 to validated TRL5 demonstrators, with core photonic techniques reaching TRL7. An open ecosystem strategy including PDK release, standardization contributions, and FAIR datasets ensures sustainable European leadership in multimodal sensing, supporting strategic autonomy and the twin digital-green transition