SUREAL-23 · Project

Measuring Ultra-Tiny Engine Particles That Current Instruments Miss

transportTestedTRL 6

sureal-23.cperi.certh.gr

Car engines spit out incredibly tiny particles — so small that today's instruments can't reliably detect them. The EU wants to set limits on these emissions, but you can't regulate what you can't measure. This project built 7 new measurement devices that can catch particles smaller than 23 nanometers, even while a car is actually driving on the road. Think of it like upgrading from a bathroom scale to a precision lab balance — except for exhaust fumes.

By the numbers

hardware demonstration prototypes built and tested

sub-23 nm

particle detection threshold achieved by new instruments

consortium partners across 7 countries

total project deliverables produced

industry partners involved in development

The business problem

What needed solving

The EU wants to set emission limits on ultra-fine particles (below 23 nm) from car engines, but no accurate measurement method exists — especially for real driving conditions. Automakers, testing labs, and instrument companies are stuck: they know regulation is coming, but they can't prepare without reliable tools to measure what matters.

The solution

What was built

The project built 7 hardware demonstration prototypes: a multi-wavelength photoacoustic setup, a UV photoelectric charger, a sizing CPC, an advanced high-temperature DMA, an automotive ICAD, a drift DMA, and a PEMS-PN portable system. All were verified for detecting and classifying particles below 23 nm from both Diesel and GDI engines under real driving conditions.

Audience

Who needs this

Vehicle emissions testing and type-approval laboratoriesAutomotive OEMs developing direct injection engines (Diesel and GDI)Aerosol and particle measurement instrument manufacturersFuel and lubricant companies optimizing formulations for low emissionsRegulatory agencies preparing sub-23 nm emission standards

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Automotive emissions testing

mid-size

Target: Vehicle emissions testing laboratories and type-approval bodies

If you are an emissions testing lab struggling to meet upcoming EU regulations on sub-23 nm particles — this project developed 7 hardware prototype instruments including a portable PEMS-PN system specifically designed for real driving measurements. These tools can detect and size-classify particles below the current 23 nm measurement threshold, positioning your lab ahead of regulatory changes.

Automotive manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Car manufacturers with direct injection engine programs

If you are an automaker developing GDI or Diesel engines and need to understand how fuel, lubricants, and aftertreatment choices affect ultra-fine particle emissions — this project systematically tested these variables using 7 new measurement technologies. The data helps you optimize engine designs before stricter sub-23 nm particle regulations arrive.

Scientific instrument manufacturing

SME

Target: Aerosol and particle measurement instrument companies

If you are an instrument manufacturer looking to expand into automotive emissions measurement — this project produced 7 demonstration prototypes covering photoacoustic analysis, UV photoelectric charging, sizing CPC, and drift DMA technologies. Each was validated against sub-23 nm aerosol standards and evaluated for on-board vehicle use, giving you a head start on commercialization.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or acquire this measurement technology?

The project produced 7 demonstration prototypes under an RIA (Research and Innovation Action) funding scheme, meaning IP arrangements vary by partner. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the consortium members, which include 3 industry partners and 2 SMEs already active in instrumentation.

Can these instruments work at industrial scale in a production testing environment?

The instruments were built as demonstration prototypes in hardware and evaluated for on-board vehicle use (PEMS applications). While they proved the measurement concepts work below 23 nm, scaling from prototype to production-grade equipment would require further engineering and certification.

Who owns the intellectual property?

IP is distributed across the 8-partner consortium spanning 7 countries. The 3 industry partners and 2 SMEs are the most likely paths to licensing, as they have commercial incentives. Specific IP terms depend on the consortium agreement.

How does this relate to upcoming EU emission regulations?

The EU aims to regulate sub-23 nm particle emissions from light-duty vehicles but currently cannot due to the absence of accurate measurement methods. This project was specifically designed to fill that gap. The PEMS-PN system deliverable was built to evaluate which instrument technologies are suitable for portable emissions measurement.

What exactly was demonstrated and validated?

7 hardware prototypes were built and tested: a multi-wavelength photoacoustic setup, a UV photoelectric charger, a sizing CPC, an advanced high-temperature DMA, an automotive ICAD for sub-23 nm, a drift DMA, and a PEMS-PN system. Each was verified for sensitivity, accuracy, and operation below 23 nm.

How soon could this be deployed in our testing facility?

The project ended in December 2019 with 7 validated prototypes. The technology is past the proof-of-concept stage but would need product engineering for commercial deployment. The 3 industry partners in the consortium are the most likely route to market-ready instruments.

Consortium

Who built it

The 8-partner consortium spans 7 countries (CH, DK, EL, ES, FR, IT, UK) with a strong technical backbone: 4 research organizations and 1 university provide scientific depth, while 3 industry partners (including 2 SMEs) bring commercial relevance. The 38% industry ratio signals genuine market interest in these measurement technologies. The coordinator is a Greek national research center (CERTH), well-established in aerosol science. For a business looking to access this technology, the 3 industry partners and 2 SMEs are the most direct route — they have both the technical know-how and commercial motivation to move prototypes toward products.

ETHNIKO KENTRO EREVNAS KAI TECHNOLOGIKIS ANAPTYXISCoordinator · EL
CENTRO RICERCHE FIAT SCPAparticipant · IT
FACHHOCHSCHULE NORDWESTSCHWEIZ FHNWparticipant · CH
NKT PHOTONICS A/Sparticipant · DK
CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHEparticipant · IT
SOCIEDAD EUROPEA DE ANALISIS DIFERENCIAL DE MOVILIDAD SLparticipant · ES
IFP Energies nouvellesparticipant · FR
FIANIUM LTDthirdparty · UK

How to reach the team

ETHNIKO KENTRO EREVNAS KAI TECHNOLOGIKIS ANAPTYXIS (CERTH), Greece — a national research center with established partnerships in aerosol technology

Order a report on this consortium See ETHNIKO KENTRO EREVNAS KAI TECHNOLOGIKIS ANAPTYXIS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the SUREAL-23 consortium to discuss licensing one of their 7 prototype instruments? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the right partner.

Order a report on this topic More in Transport & Mobility