AINIA, ITE, and INESCOP have launched PRISMA-D, a research and development project aimed at developing a multisensorial and intelligent technology platform that will enhance detection, localization, and confirmation of physical, chemical, and biological contaminants on surfaces and in complex matrices, with a particular focus on water and sludge.
PRISMA-D seeks to address one of the main challenges associated with controlling potentially contaminated environments: having fast and reliable information that allows identifying risks, reducing workers’ exposure, and enabling early action.
To achieve this, a solution capable of jointly addressing detection, operator protection, and confirmation of results through laboratory analysis will be developed, integrated, and validated. The objective is to move toward an operational and interoperable platform that improves prevention and response capabilities for its future market transfer.
Robotics, sensors and artificial intelligence for safer detection
The PRISMA-D platform will integrate different technologies currently used independently. In the field of robotics and autonomous systems, ground and aerial solutions will be developed that can monitor potentially contaminated environments and remotely collect environmental samples. The aim is to achieve safer, traceable, and reproducible sampling processes, reducing the need for direct exposure of workers.
The project will also advance in the development and characterization of biosensors capable of analyzing biological and chemical risk agents, such as pathogens, as well as certain biochemical effects associated with people’s exposure to these risks.
On the other hand, researchers will investigate and validate photonic technologies and advanced analytics to improve detection and characterization of physical, chemical, and biological contaminants in complex matrices and provide benchmark analytical tools.
Artificial intelligence will be the core responsible for integrating and jointly leveraging the information generated by the different systems. By fusing data from sensors, analytical equipment, and autonomous systems, PRISMA-D aims to facilitate a more complete interpretation of the information and provide decision-support tools.
Finally, all of these technologies will be integrated into a prototype that will be validated to verify the platform’s integrated operation.
Anticipating risks and reducing response times
Early detection of contaminants is especially critical in sectors where an incident can affect safety, product quality, process continuity, or worker protection.
PRISMA-D aims to provide companies with new capabilities to detect contaminants and chemical-biological threats early in waters, sludges, foods, and other complex environments, enabling a faster response before an incident can impact production or safety.
The combination of intelligent sensors, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence will enable more effective prevention models, shorten response times to incidents, and improve the reliability of available information.
The results will have potential applications in strategic areas such as water management and treatment, the food and beverage industry, environmental control, and critical infrastructure, contributing to the development of safer workplaces and data-driven decision making.
PRISMA-D is coordinated by AINIA and has the participation of the Energy Technology Institute (ITE) and INESCOP, which will bring complementary technological capabilities to address the development and integration of the platform.
