HeavySense

The project titled "Heavy Metal Multiplex Detection with Hyperspectral Imaging" is a collaborative research and development effort undertaken by Optimal Optik Kft, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, and Leistrungselektronik Jena GmbH.

Objective

The aim of the project is to design and implement an innovative, portable analytical platform for detecting heavy metals in water. The prototype will enable the specific detection of various heavy metal ions (e.g., arsenic, lead, mercury) simultaneously in a single, label-free step. The selectivity for heavy metal ions will be achieved using aptamer receptors (nucleic acid molecules with specific 3D structures) that can bind to specific targets. Optical spectroscopy readout will be used to detect the binding of the ions to the receptor molecules. The detection principle is based on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon that occurs on metal nanostructures. The interaction between visible light and nanoparticles creates well-defined light absorption bands during sensor illumination, giving the sensor element its characteristic color.

The wavelength of the plasmon resonance and thus the absorption peaks are very sensitive to changes in the refractive index of the medium surrounding the nanoparticles. The aptamer receptor molecules are bound to the surface of the metal nanoparticles, and the binding of the target heavy metal ions causes a local refractive index change, which can be quantified by spectroscopy. The project aims to design and realize nanoplasmonic sensor elements and the associated readout platform, enabling parallel measurement of peak shifts due to target molecule binding in tens of points on a sensor chip within a few square centimeters using imaging spectroscopy. The measurement platform will thus be capable of cost-effective, high-throughput water sample analysis. The small size of the readout device and the automated sample handling system will enable convenient and safe field use.

Project Information

• Project ID: 2020-1.2.3-EUREKA-2022-00030
• Project Title: Heavy Metal Multiplex Detection with Hyperspectral Imaging
• Project Start: 2022.01.01
• Project End: 2026.12.31
• Support Amount: 143,213,202 HUF
• Total Cost: 192,625,181 HUF
• Support Rate (%): 74.36%

Funding Scheme

The project number 2020-1.2.3-EUREKA-2022-00030 is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation from the National Research, Development, and Innovation Fund with a support amount of 143,213,202 HUF, within the framework of the 2020-1.2.3-EUREKA application program.

https://eurekanetwork.org/

Fields of Science

• Engineering and Technology
• Materials Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Optical engineering

Participants

• Optimal Optik Kft (Lead)
• Budapest University of Technology and Economics
• Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology
• Leistrungselektronik Jena GmbH

Publications

Optimizing plasmonic microarray biosensors: custom optical system for enhanced evaluation and characterization
Csőke, Lóránt Tibor (Optimal Optik Ltd., Budapest University of Technology and Economics); Csáki, Andrea (Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology); Kollár, Zsolt (Budapest University of Technology and Economics)