The main objective of the project is to develop highly sensitive room-temperature NO₂ gas SAW sensors based on transferred CVD graphene. The scope is to increase the device integration and combination with other 2D material(s), decreasing the cost and size, targeting new opportunities in addressing societal challenges (environmental, health).

1. Material development: the CVD graphene obtained by interfacial transfer of CVD graphene onto quartz piezoelectric substrate will particularly ensure high NO₂ sensing performances;
2. Design and fabrication of the surface acoustic wave resonant device: the gas sensor uses a two-port surface acoustic wave resonator design, fabricated on ST-cut quartz substrate, with the resonant frequency around 100 MHz;
3. Integration of the SAWR with the developed/transferred graphene sensing material;
4. Validation of the sensor's working principle, by means of testing in relevant gaseous environment, using dedicated test setups; the electro-acoustic interactions with NO₂ on graphene will be demonstrated as a frequency shift response of the SAWR sensor, in order to validate the proof of concept (TRL4);
5. The young researcher's (project leader) professional career boosting, by securing the financial and logistic support for developing her R&D activities in Romania;
6. Increase of the Romanian R&D visibility at international level, by tackling a unique approach from the point of view of the proposed sensor;
7. Improvement of the gender equality in the Romanian technical research, by encouraging the participation of young research women in the micro-nanotechnologies field.