SiC nano for PicoGeo · Project

Ultra-Precise Ground Strain Sensors for Earthquake and Volcano Early Warning

environmentTestedTRL 5

Imagine trying to detect a crack forming in a wall — but the crack is a billion times smaller than anything current instruments can see. That's essentially what this project tackled for the Earth itself. The team built a new type of underground sensor using silicon carbide (a super-hard material used in industrial cutting tools) combined with fiber lasers, capable of detecting ground movements 100 times smaller than today's best instruments. The goal: catch the faintest warning signs before earthquakes and volcanic eruptions actually happen.

By the numbers

10⁻¹²

Strain resolution (pico-level detection)

100x

Better resolution than current technology (two orders of magnitude)

Young modulus of SiC compared to silicon

€2.74M

EU research investment

Consortium partners across 4 countries

SME partners in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Current ground strain sensors cannot detect the ultra-small, slow deformations that precede earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This detection gap means early warning systems miss critical precursor signals, leaving communities and infrastructure vulnerable. Existing instruments are also expensive and bulky, making dense monitoring networks economically impractical.

The solution

What was built

The project built silicon carbide optical strain-meters with pico-level (10⁻¹²) resolution using fiber laser technology. Concrete deliverables include installed borehole seismometers with waveform recording capabilities and the first field-deployed strain-meters based on the new SiC technology.

Audience

Who needs this

Geophysical instrumentation manufacturers looking for next-generation sensor technologyNational geological surveys and volcano observatories upgrading monitoring networksGeothermal energy companies needing precise subsurface strain monitoringCritical infrastructure operators in seismically active regionsOil and gas companies monitoring induced seismicity around extraction sites

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Geohazard Monitoring Services

mid-size

Target: Companies providing seismic monitoring networks and volcano observatories

If you are a geohazard monitoring company struggling with detection limits of current strain-meters — this project developed silicon carbide optical sensors with resolution of 10⁻¹² (about two orders of magnitude better than existing technology). The sensors are designed for borehole deployment with electronic readout accessible outside the drilling, reducing maintenance complexity. First strain-meters and borehole seismometers were installed and tested during the project.

Oil, Gas & Geothermal Energy

enterprise

Target: Geothermal energy operators and subsurface monitoring firms

If you are a geothermal energy operator needing to monitor subsurface strain around drilling sites — this project built compact borehole-deployable strain sensors that can detect ultra-small ground deformations. The small dimensions allow monitoring a dense vertical profile of strain along a single borehole, giving you detailed subsurface data at lower cost than deploying multiple conventional instruments.

Civil Infrastructure & Construction

any

Target: Structural health monitoring companies and critical infrastructure operators

If you are a structural monitoring company looking for next-generation precision sensors for bridges, dams, or tunnels in seismically active regions — this project's silicon carbide sensor technology delivers two orders of magnitude better resolution than current instruments. The all-optical closed-loop design means the readout electronics stay far from the sensor, making it practical for hard-to-access installations.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would this sensor technology cost compared to current strain-meters?

The project objective explicitly states the new sensor will 'strongly reduce the cost of the strain sensor.' The small dimensions and cheaper manufacturing using silicon carbide are designed to enable dense sensor networks that would be prohibitively expensive with current technology. Specific pricing data is not available from project documents.

Can this scale to large monitoring networks?

Yes, the project was designed with scale in mind. The small sensor dimensions allow multiple sensors along a single borehole for dense vertical strain profiling. The project planned a 'Pico strain Etna Lab' as the starting point for a new network infrastructure to cover major volcanic regions and fault lines across Europe.

What is the IP situation — can we license this technology?

The project was coordinated by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy's national research council) with 7 partners across 4 countries including 3 SMEs. IP is likely shared among consortium members. The objective mentions plans for a start-up at the end of the project, suggesting commercialization intent. Contact the coordinator for licensing terms.

How does this compare to existing seismic monitoring equipment?

The project claims resolution of 10⁻¹² — about two orders of magnitude (100x) better than currently available technology. This is achieved by combining 3C-SiC material (with a Young modulus almost 3 times higher than silicon) with fiber laser technology for all-optical closed-loop operation.

Has this actually been tested in the field?

Yes. Project deliverables confirm installation of borehole seismometers with waveform recording processing, and installation of the first strain-meters. This indicates the technology moved from laboratory to real-world field testing during the project period (2019-2024).

What regulations or standards apply to this technology?

Seismic monitoring equipment used in national early warning systems must typically meet standards set by geological survey agencies and civil protection authorities. Based on available project data, the technology was tested in geophysical research contexts. Regulatory certification for commercial deployment would be a next step.

Who in my organization should evaluate this?

This is most relevant to R&D directors or chief technology officers at geophysical instrumentation companies, heads of monitoring at volcano observatories, or technical leads at companies operating subsurface monitoring networks for energy or infrastructure applications.

Consortium

Who built it

The consortium of 7 partners across 4 countries (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy) has a strong industry orientation at 57% industry ratio with 3 SMEs — unusual for a fundamental technology project and a positive signal for commercialization intent. Coordinated by Italy's national research council (CNR), the mix of 4 industry partners and 3 research organizations suggests the technology was developed with manufacturing and deployment realities in mind. The presence of multiple SMEs indicates smaller, agile companies are already positioned to bring this to market.

CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHECoordinator · IT
NOVASIC SAparticipant · FR
MOVERIM SRLparticipant · BE
GFZ HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR GEOFORSCHUNGparticipant · DE
ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI GEOFISICA E VULCANOLOGIAparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Italy — use SciTransfer's coordinator lookup service to find the principal investigator's contact details.

Order a report on this consortium See CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing this sensor technology or connecting with the consortium partners? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction and help you evaluate the commercial fit for your monitoring needs.

Order a report on this topic More in Environment & Climate