Project DIVINE
DIVINE: Design theory-based nanostructured leaf-vein networks for selective VOC sensing. Funded by EPSRC.
Indoor air pollution in the UK is exacerbated by the emission of non-methane volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates. Current environmental sensors, including those commercialised by major semiconductor integrated device manufacturers, cannot specifically detect these toxic gases at an acceptable concentration level and are unable to provide any helpful preventive guidance. Crucially, these sensors can only detect the total concentration of VOCs (TVOCs), i.e., the total concentration of a subset of airborne VOCs present in the air, as an overall measure of indoor air quality, and generally, lack selectivity. In the DIVINE project, we are designing material building blocks engineered to offer a maximum and selective response to target gas molecules to address this challenge. Through solution-phase additive manufacturing techniques, we will create large-scale self-assembly of these building blocks to obtain a nano- and micro-level structure mimicking the hierarchy of length scales found in xylems and leaf veins in plants. Our approach will therefore allow highly optimum through-flow of gases to the engineered building blocks, providing a fast, sensitive and selective response to these toxic gases.
Investigators
Prof Tawfique Hasan (University of Cambridge)
- Role: Project management
- Prof Hasan's Cambridge Engineering Profile Page
Dr Luigi G. Occhipinti (University of Cambridge)
- Role: Algorithm development, device packaging and integration
- Dr Occhipinti's Cambridge Department of Engineering Profile Page
Prof Julian Gardner (University of Warwick)
- Role: Algorithm development and device packaging
- Prof Gardner's Warwick School of Engineering Profile Page
Prof Colin D. Bain (Durham University)
- Role: Thin film structure development and optimization
- Prof Bain's Research Group Overview Page (The Bain Group)
Dr Lisong Yang (Durham University)
- Role: Thin film structure development and optimization
- Dr Yang's Durham University Profile Page
Postdoctoral Research Associates
Dr Tynee Bhowmick (University of Cambridge)
- Role: Functional materials synthesis and theory development
- Cambridge NanoEngineering Group People Page
Dr Karthik Kannan (University of Warwick)
- Role: Sensor testing and characterization
- Microsensors and Bioelectronics Laboratory
PhD Students
Mr Binghan Zhou (University of Cambridge)
- Role: Functional materials synthesis
- Cambridge NanoEngineering Group People Page
Industrial Partners
Sorex makes sensors based on film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) technology. It is extremely small – as thin as a human hair – and has high mass sensitivity, down to femtograms. This makes it more accurate and responsive than existing sensors so it can detect even a trace of harmful compounds in the sub-PM2.5 range.
CPI - Centre for Process Innovation
CPI acts as a catalyst bringing together academia, businesses, government and investors to translate bright ideas and research into the marketplace. They offer customers access to the right experts, equipment, networks, funding and more – connecting the dots for effective innovation. They are a leading independent technology innovation centre and a founding member of the UK Government’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
DIVINE Meeting Timeline
- 20/01/2023 - Update meeting (Virtual - MS Teams)
- 03/03/2023 - Update meeting (Virtual - MS Teams)
- 06/04/2023 - Update Meeting (Virtual - MS Teams)
- 26/05/2023 - In person meeting: The University of Warwick