SABER print is a cross-border collaborative project aimed at exploring the potential impact of smart (bio)sensors on the process industry of the future.

Digitisation of production processes

Digitalisation of production processes will shape the industry of the future. Constant monitoring of industrial processes by ‘smart’ machines will lead to a more efficient and sustainable production process. SABER print is a public-private partnership between the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Maastricht University, Garlock GmBH and Yookr BV. Within SABER print, the potential role of smart biosensors in shaping the digital process industry will be investigated. Smart sensors will be developed with the aim of integrating them into existing industrial processes. In this way, various crucial chemical parameters can be monitored. In addition, other machines in the production line can be informed in order to adjust the industrial process based on changes in the observed parameters.

Real-time monitoring

The central innovation that will be developed within SABER print is a prototype sensor for controlling and monitoring industrial processes. This sensor will be able to communicate with other devices via an IoT web application. The sensor design will consist of a flexible sensor sticker that can be integrated directly into gaskets, for example. Thus, online monitoring of industrial processes can be directly enabled. Synthetic receptors will be produced and integrated into the sticker-based electrodes. This will make the sensor selective for desired analytes, such as glucose, for example. The sticker will be linked to an electrochemical readout platform, allowing users to monitor the concentration of analytes in industrial processes in real time. As a result, the production process can be more tightly controlled. This reduces installation and maintenance costs and improves overall productivity in the process industry.