Imagine floating a tiny bead in mid-air using lasers or magnets so it doesn't touch anything. Because it's floating, it can feel the tiniest tugs of gravity from other objects, even those as small as a speck of dust. This project is figuring out how to use these floating beads to measure gravity with extreme precision.
Current acceleration and gravity sensors lack the sensitivity to detect extremely small masses or operate in the quantum regime without interference from mechanical noise.
A proof-of-concept levitated acceleration sensor using optical and magnetic traps, including a payload for space demonstration and vibration isolation systems.
If you are a satellite manufacturer dealing with the need for high-precision Earth observation — this project developed a payload for optically levitated sensors in space that enables gravitational detection for Earth Exploration.
If you are a cryogenic equipment provider dealing with mechanical noise in sensitive measurements — this project developed sub mK, low vibration cryogenic equipment that improves product performance for the high-tech market.
If you are a mineral exploration firm dealing with the need to detect underground mass anomalies — this project developed a levitated acceleration sensor capable of detecting gravity of small masses at the attoNewton level.
Based on available project data, the project aims for cost-effective table-top experiments, but specific commercial pricing is not provided.
The project is currently at a proof of concept stage (TRL 1), focusing on particles between 100 nm and 1 mm, which suggests it is in the early stages of scaling.
Based on available project data, no specific IP or licensing terms are mentioned, though two SMEs are involved in optimizing the apparatus for market offer.
The project is exploring the feasibility of implementing the technology into a micro-satellite platform for space-based metrology.
The project period runs from 2022-10-01 to 2026-03-31, focusing on demonstrating the proof of concept.
The consortium is research-heavy with 5 universities and 2 SMEs across 4 countries (DE, IT, NL, UK). The industry ratio is 29%, indicating a strong push to translate fundamental quantum physics into commercial products, specifically through the involvement of high-tech SMEs focusing on cryogenic and vibration isolation equipment.
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