GORD Institute – the research wing of the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) – has secured a grant from Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council (QRDI) for a research project titled “High Sensitivity & Selectivity Nanomaterials-based Gas Sensors."

The project aims to synthesize carbon nanomaterials from captured CO2 waste streams, which can be used as building blocks to produce high sensitivity gas sensors. A further aim is to explore the interaction of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, which is integrated with the resultant carbon nanomaterials to create miniaturized, wireless sensors that can selectively detect gases at low concentrations. The collaborative project brings together GORD Institute’s expertise with leading QRDI entities that include Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) and Spain’s Zenon Innovations.

By integrating nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes, nanospheres, graphene, and metal oxides with RFID tags, this technology provides a first-of-its-kind use, enabling real-time, wireless monitoring of gases for environmental and industrial applications. The project will target the detection of various gases, including methane and benzene, at industrially relevant concentrations. In addition, the carbon nanomaterials will be produced by electrolyzing captured CO₂ streams in a scalable process that can utilize renewable energy, offering both a way to reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to a circular carbon economy.

Different sensor types, such as chemi-resistive, electrochemical, and optical sensors, will be developed and integrated into flexible RFID devices suitable for wearable applications in real-world scenarios. These sensors can be applied in confined environments like tunnels, subways, and industrial zones. The project also explores potential integration into the Internet of Things (IoT), enhancing their data analysis capabilities.