The “MicroQ-KINETICS” project aims to develop a comprehensive technological platform of acoustic biosensors based on HFFQCM (High Fundamental Frequency Quartz Crystal Microbalance) microarrays for real-time, label-free biomolecular interaction kinetics analysis, offering high sensitivity, low cost, and low sample volume. The platform, named μQ-Kinetics, will integrate high-frequency acoustic sensors (100–150 MHz) arranged in array configurations of 8 and 24 sensors fabricated on a single quartz wafer, encapsulated in a cartridge-type cell with microfluidic integration, and mechanical, electrical, and thermal connectivity. This platform will be capable of measuring kinetic parameters such as association/dissociation rates (ka, kd) and affinity constants (KD), with key applications in drug development, immunology, structural biology, and biomarker characterization.
Agencia Valenciana de la Innovación – Consolidación de la Cadena de Valor Empresarial 2025
Call: Consolidación de la Cadena de Valor Empresarial 2025
Grant: INNCAD/2025/21
Project funded by: Subvencionado por el IVACE+i y por la Unión Europea a través del FEDER
The ERAGUA project’s main objective is to develop an innovative digital platform for the intelligent management of the quality of reclaimed water, based on the analysis of microbiological parameters and emerging contaminants (EC). Microbiological parameters include viruses, protozoa (Cryptosporidium and Giardia), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG). Regarding ECs, priority will be given to microplastics and substances listed in Directive 2024/3019 of the European Parliament, which are mostly pharmaceuticals, although other compounds of environmental interest are also included.
Partners:
- EUROFINS IPROMA S.L.U.
- SOCIEDAD DE FOMENTO AGRÍCOLA CASTELLONENSE, S.A. (FACSA)
- ADVANCED WAVE SENSORS, S.L.
- AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS, M.P. (CSIC)
- UNIVERSITAT POLITÈCNICA DE VALENCIA (UPV)
- AINIA
Agencia Valenciana de la Innovación – Proyectos Estratégicos en Cooperación de 2025
Call: Proyectos Estratégicos en Cooperación de 2025
Grant: INNEST/2025/251
Project funded by: Subvencionado por el IVACE+i y por la Unión Europea a través del FEDER
AWSensors develops a groundbreaking multimodal system that integrates acoustic sensing (QCM), high-temperature control, and optical access for infrared spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), offering unmatched versatility for simultaneous measurements in complex experimental environments.
INNOVA-CV – INNOVACIÓN DE PYME 2023 (2ª edición)
Call: INNOVATeiC -CV. Innovación en TEICs
Grant: IMINOK/2023/82
Project funded by: Subvencionado por el IVACE y por la Unión Europea a través del FEDER
The main goal of the BioprintedQCM project is to carry out the industrial research processes necessary for the development of a new biochemical surface functionalization technique that allows immobilizing biorecognition probes such as aptamers, antibodies or DNA sequences on the surface of acoustic micro-resonators in a precise, controlled, fast, repeatable manner and at a reduced cost. The BioprintedQCM technique will be applied in the development of new biosensors based on HFF-QCM ARRAY devices, proprietary of the Valencian technology-based company AWSensors.
Proyectos de Consolidación de la Cadena de Valor Empresarial
Call: 2023
2023-2025
Project funded by:
Acoustic Wave biosensing technology for in situ antimicrobial resistance monitoring (AWARMON)
The overall objective of AWARMON project is developing a new biosensing technology for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring in reclaimed water. Specifically, AWARMON aims at detecting antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), responsible for encoding enzymes that inhibit the effect of the antibiotics. Solution proposed by the AWARMON project relies on the multidisciplinary integration of different Key Enabled Technologies: microelectronics, microfluidics, nanomaterials and genomics. In particular, AWARMON approach is based on a novel acoustic wave sensor concept, the Coupled Thickness Shear Mode (CTSM) resonator, with a dramatically enhanced sensitivity and improved robustness to external noise. CTSM technology will be combined with an appropriate biochemical sensor Surface functionalization to provide specificity and a customized acoustic detection protocol based on the simple enzymatic amplification called Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The main features of AWARMON are high specificity and sensitivity, simplicity, short analysis time, portability, robustness and cost-effectiveness. The achievement of AWARMON’s objectives will pave the way for the development of new sensor devices for field monitoring of genetic markers. Such an analytical technique could contribute effectively to the challenges set by the CE and the Spanish State Plan for scientific, technical and innovation research 2021-2023 regarding AMR threat.
Partners:
- Ci2B, Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería de la UPV
- IIAMA, Instituto Universitario de Investigación de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente de la UPV
- Advisor: Prof. Electra Gizeli, Dept. of Biology at the University of Crete and Affiliated Researcher at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) at the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH)
- Companies interested in the project results:
- AWSensors S.L.
Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2022 – Agencia Estatal de Investigación
Grant: PID2022-138871OB-I00
Project funded by: MICIU/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF/EU
Capturing non-Amplified Tumor Circulating DNA with Ultrasound Hydrodynamics
The project suggests replacing the labor-intensive, occasionally biased and costly PCR method currently used for the detection of genetic markers with a simple, non-PCR based DNA quantification method. The suggested system will exploit the ability of acoustic waves to probe the hydrodynamic shape of surface-bound molecules, rather than mass. The scientific challenge to be addressed is to push the limit of detection to the zM range obviating the need to use a polymerase for DNA amplification. The technological challenge is to fabricate ultra sensitive acoustic devices and after capturing with high efficiency very low numbers of DNA present in a complex medium detecting them on the device surface. These ambitious goals will be achieved by developing novel probes and nanoparticles of tailor-made sizes and shapes for enhanced acoustic response; exploiting high frequency acoustic devices up to the GHz range; and, employing magnetic beads with microfluidics for specific target-capturing and enrichment. The proof-of-principle will be demonstrated during the detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), currently an area perceived by cancer researchers as the “Holy Grail” of future cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. We intend to validate our integrated acoustic platform towards the detection of common mutations occurring in colorectal and lung cancers, i.e., KRAS, EGFR and BRAF in serum. We anticipate that the “CATCH-U-DNA” concept will set the foundations for a simpler, more sensitive and affordable diagnostic method, from which patients in both the developed and developing countries will greatly benefit.
Partners:
- AWSensors S.L.
- Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH)
- Institut Curie
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- Panepistimio Kritis
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev
- Jobst Technologies GMBH
HORIZON 2020
Call: H2020-FETOPEN-1-2016-2017
2017-2019
Project funded by:
LiqBiopSens: reliable novel liquid biopsy technology for early detection of colorectal cancer
The overall aim of LIQBIOPSENS project is the further development and validation in real settings of a novel diagnostic platform for the early and fast detection of ctDNA and their KRAS and BRAF mutations associated to colorectal cancer through blood samples. The main features of LIQBIOPSENS are: reliability (detection rates vary from 95–100 %), low-cost (40-50 € per sample analysis), sensitivity (in the zM range), multiplexing capabilities (analysis of 27 KRAS and BRAF mutations simultaneously), short analysis time (30-60 min.), user-friendly interface and flexibility. Solution proposed by the LIQBIOPSENS project relies on the multidisciplinary integration of different Key Enabled Technologies: microelectronics, microfluidics, nanomaterials and genomics. In particular, LIQBIOPSENS platform is based on the integration of two novel complementary technologies. On the one hand, the revolutionary DGL© technology property of DestiNA Genomics Ltd, capable of delivering faster, more error-free detection of nucleic acids and their mutations than current enzyme-based detection systems, making ‘false positive’ results a thing of the past. On the other hand, a novel high resolution acoustic wave microsensor technology property of AWSensors, that allows an accurate, inexpensive, label-free, direct and real time transduction method to quantitatively evaluate the results of the application of the above mentioned DGL© technique.
Partners:
- Advanced Wave Sensors
- Destina Genomics
- Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH)
- Andalusian Public Healthcare Insurance
- Sistemas Genómicos
- Université Catholique de Louvain
HORIZON 2020
Call: H2020-ICT-2015
2016-2018
Project funded by:
Design of a DNA biosensor based on HFF-QCM technology for detection of honey adulteration.
Design of a DNA biosensor for detection of honey adulteration. The aim of this project is to introduce a novel technology in the field of food control adulteration. This technology is based on the use of acoustic sensors coated with functionalized nanostructures which allow to greatly increase the Limit of Detection (LOD) of the DNA of the plant substances used in honey adulteration. The use of those mentioned nanostructures generates a mechanic-acoustic amplification effect and, moreover, allow to separate the sensor transduction mechanism from the biochemical recognition process (DNA hibridation). The expected result is an increase of more than one order of magnitude in the sensor response when comparing it with the response of a sensor without the nanostructure coating. Techniques based on DNA biosensors are becoming very promising in the field of security and quality food control because they may overcome the main drawbacks of existing techniques, since DNA biosensor technology is easy handling, reliable, fast (analysis periods: minutes) and low cost.
Partners:
- Ci2B, Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería de la UPV
- IUIAD, Instituto Universitario de Ingenieria de Alimentos para el desarrollo de la UPV
- Advisor: Dr. Hubert Perrot, Laboratorie interfaces et systèmes electrochimiques, Université Pierre et Marie Curie
- Companies interested in the project results:
- AWSensors S.L.
- Apisol S.A.
- Cooperativa Apícola de España
- ASEMIEL
- Granalbe
- Primo Mendoza S.L.
- Honeygreen
RETOS INVESTIGACIÓN
2017-2019
Project funded by:
Design of a platform based on arrays of high resolution quartz sensors for HTS (High-Throughput Screening) of residues in honey
Design and evaluation of a new technology based on arrays of high resolution quartz crystal microbalance sensors for High-Throughput Screening ( HTS) applications in the detection of pesticides and antibiotics residues in honey. This new technology will save on time and resources and will detect a large number of compounds simultaneously. Moreover, it will be suitable for an in-situ implantation in industry packaging of honeys. These advantages will overcome the current equipments based on analytical techniques such as liquid cromatography (HPLC)
Partners:
- Advanced Wave Sensors, S.L
- Ci2B, Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería de la UPV
- IUIAD, Instituto Universitario de Ingenieria de Alimentos para el desarrollo de la UPV
RETOS INVESTIGACIÓN
2014-2016
Project funded by:
Design of a platform based on the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) for the in-vivo development and testing of new biomedical alloys
The main aim of the project is to improve the compatibility and integration of prostheses and implants for teeth with human tissues and bones, specially to face phenomena such as wear and electrochemical dissolution that infects the surrounding tissues or damages the fixing.
Partners:
- Advanced Wave Sensors S.L.
- Instituto de Tecnología de Materiales de la UPV
- Grupo de investigación en Prostodoncia y Oclus de la Universitat de Valéncia
- Grupo de investigación odontológica de la Universitat de València
VLC CAMPUS
Project funded by:
Research and development on a new electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) that allows for viscoelasticity measurements to be integrated in A10 technology demonstrator model
The main aim of the project is to develop an EQCM platform to be validated by reference laboratories worldwide and implement crucial features such as viscoelasticity measurements and assay multiplexing.
Partners:
- Advanced Wave Sensors S.L.
2015-2016
Project funded by:
Development of a universal technology platform for the characterization of acoustic resonators
The main objetive of the project is the development of the new technology patented by Advanced Wave Sensors. It is based on a new generation of the quartz crystal microbalance and overcomes the sensitivity provided by the current acoustic technologies. The platform design is modular so that it is easy to adapt it to different applications.
Partners:
- Advanced Wave Sensors S.L.
NEOTEC
2014-2015
Project funded by:
Technology demonstrator model based on acoustic transducers for applications in health prevention and diagnosis
The main objective of this project is to develop a technology demonstrator model based on acoustic transducers and validate it by reference laboratories working with QCM since more than 15 years ago:
- Laboratory of Measurement Science and Sensors headed by Professor Lucklum at the Institut für Mikro und Sensorsysteme (IMOS) in the Otto Von Guericke Universität Magdeburg. GERMANY
- Laboratory headed by Professor Vittorio Ferrari at the Dipertimento di Ingegneria dell’informazione in the Universitat degli Study di Brescia. ITALY.
- Laboratory of Interfaces et Systèmes Èlectrochímiques headed by Dr. Hubert Perrot at the Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris. FRANCE
- Laboratory of Electroanalysis and Corrosion headed by Professor Brett at the Instituto Pedro Nunes in Coimbra. PORTUGAL
Partners:
- Advanced Wave Sensors S.L.
- UPV
- IPDOMO
INNPACTO
2013
Project funded by:
