Remo Proietti Zaccaria 02

The aim of this proposal is to customise chemical and biological detection systems based on nanoresonators (NRs) to meet the requirements of a space environment, by exploiting the latest advances in nanotechnology. In Space, monitoring health risks is crucial as humans face adverse conditions, including the possible exposure to an unhealthy atmosphere. On Earth, micro- and nanoresonators enable lab-on-a-chip molecular- and bio-detection. Nanoscale technology is the basis of a revolutionary class of detectors that overcome the limitations of detectors based on microscale technology. However, the current detection technology used in Space still relies on microscale resonators. Here, we aim at conceptualising and studying nanoscale detectors for space applications where further miniaturisation is expected to entail improved performance. The novelty of our proposal is threefold: i) material composition (novel materials such as hBN or phosphorene), ii) topology of materials (e.g. 2D materials and nanotubes), iii) detection mechanism of resonators (e.g. photonic or electro-mechanical). Indeed, the use of nanomaterials and the reduction of the size of resonators can significantly improve the sensitivity and the robustness, extend the functionality, favour the integration and potentially decrease the volume and the power consumption of detectors. The focus of this theoretical investigation is on: 1. Carbon nanotube mechanical NRs, which display the state-of-art highest mass sensing resolution [doi: 10.1038/nnano.2012.42]. 2. Photonic and electromechanical resonators based on 2D or van der Waals crystals, which extend the operational frequency range of standard NRs. Medium-high and low maturity characterise technologies 1 and 2, respectively. The understanding of the impact of the extreme conditions of Space on the figures of merit of NRs will guide the design of chemical and bio- detectors monitoring health risks and gas composition analysis.

Project funding: European Space Agency (ESA)