About us
Project Summary:
Emergent soil, plant and food onsite digital services on chemical and biological contaminants (E-SPFdigit)
E-SPFdigit is a project funded by the European Union within the Horizon Europe programme, with 18 partners.
This project started on October 2024 and will last 3 years. It is coordinated by the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) in Greece.
E-SPFdigit will bring novel onsite digital tools already at TRL5 under systemic innovation, which will be further deployed, upscaled, field-tested and demonstrated to TRL7-8, in viticulture and horticulture applications in Greece and Spain in soil-contaminated areas (located near mines, offensive industries, highways, floodwaters).
E-SPFdigit brings novel developed:
i) MIP-based electrochemical sensors coupled with SPME for on-site monitoring and analysis of dedicated to PFAS targeted molecules,
ii) Multiplex organic Surface Plasmon Resonance optical biosensors for onsite pesticides residues monitoring and analysis,
iii) IDE-based electrochemical sensors for onsite detection and quantification of heavy metals & micronutrients, and
iv) UVC LED -based nutrient analysers for soil water content in-situ and real time monitoring.
The AI-driven onsite digital tools will be model calibrated using machine learning algorithms to improve error distribution of a predictive model, ensuring reliability.
The AI-driven onsite digital tools will be model calibrated using machine learning algorithms to improve error distribution of a predictive model, ensuring reliability.
Finally, to predict pesticide and fertiliser and other chemical contaminants impacts on crop-soil-microbiome nexus, the project will use on-field real-time digital ground sensors combined with Earth Observation data
and causal machine learning.
All the onsite digital tools will be interconnected with a Decision Support Systems with blockchain and cybersecurity mechanisms enabling informed decisions and automated decision making for IPM and INM, enhanced with automated decision making for immediate soil management practices.
Our Partners
Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH)
The Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) is a leading non-profit research organisation in Greece, established in 2000 and operating under the supervision of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI). Its mission is to advance innovative research that addresses societal challenges while contributing to national and international economic growth.
CERTH integrates cutting-edge facilities and highly skilled personnel to translate scientific knowledge into technological applications, fostering strong collaborations with industry. Its innovations have led to the creation of 23 spin-off companies, driving economic activity and securing investment funding. Notable initiatives include CERTH 2.0 – Research Excellence for Society and Economy, supported by €33.87 million from the European Investment Bank and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and its leadership role in Thess INTEC’s 4th Generation Science and Technology Park, focusing on AI, clean energy, sustainable industry, and smart logistics.
In the E-SPFdigit project, CERTH plays a pivotal role as the coordinator and scientific leader. It oversees the project’s management and administration, ensuring efficient financial monitoring, coordination among partners, and communication with the European Commission. CERTH also implements robust quality assurance and risk management frameworks to uphold the project’s high standards and address potential challenges effectively.
On a technical level, CERTH spearheads the development of innovative solutions for precision agriculture. This includes creating autonomous navigation systems for robotic platforms equipped with advanced sensor fusion and hyperspectral imaging technologies. Leveraging state-of-the-art AI algorithms, CERTH develops tools to detect and predict biotic and abiotic stressors in crops, enhancing agricultural sustainability through real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making. CERTH also leads efforts to integrate technical developments across work packages, ensuring interdisciplinary cohesion and resolving any deviations from the project’s objectives. Additionally, it plays a critical role in disseminating project outcomes and promoting the exploitation and commercialisation of results, amplifying the project’s impact.
Associação Portuguesa de Empresas de Tecnologia Ambientais (APEMETA)
APEMETA, a non-profit association recognised as an Environmental NGO and Public Utility Organisation, has been a cornerstone of Portugal’s environmental sector since its founding in 1991. Dedicated to fostering activity and entrepreneurship, APEMETA supports over 200 member companies specialising in environmental technologies, consultancy, and project development across critical areas such as water, waste management, and energy.
National Research Council (CNR)
CNR’s research network is vast, comprising seven thematic departments that span diverse fields of research. These departments engage thousands of researchers, scholars, and technicians across Italy, making CNR a central hub of knowledge and expertise. The institution is the custodian of a unique heritage of scientific and technological know-how, and it plays a key role in advancing social, technological, and scientific development in the country.
CNR plays a pivotal role in the E-SPFdigit project, leveraging its expertise in sensor technologies and biosensor development. The institution is leading the design and deployment of multiplex organic SPR optical biosensors for real-time pesticide monitoring, utilising advanced components such as miniaturised OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes), OPDs (organic photodiodes), and nanoplasmonic gratings. These components work together to form a highly sensitive, specific, and compact sensor chip, capable of accurately detecting multiple pesticide residues at low concentrations.
In addition to the development of the biosensor, CNR is collaborating with project partners to scale up the technology and integrate the biosensors into real-world agricultural settings. The sensors will be embedded into mobile platforms and AI-based analysis systems, enabling real-time data collection and interpretation.
Agrofood Technology Transfer and Innovation Regional Center (CRITT Agroalimentaire Sud)
The Agrofood Technology Transfer and Innovation Regional Centre (CRITT Agroalimentaire Sud) is a not-for-profit association established in 1989 by leaders in the agrofood industry of its region. Its core mission is to support agrofood companies in achieving sustainable development and fostering economic growth through technology transfer, innovation, and various industry advancements.
As a regional technical partner, it provides a wide range of services tailored to the needs of agrofood companies. These include on-site assessments, technical advice, diagnostics, and the development of actionable strategies. The organisation’s areas of specialisation encompass innovation and technology transfer, industrial performance, nutrition and health, food safety and traceability, environmental management, biotransformation, and sustainable development practices.
With nearly two decades of experience in the agrofood sector, CRITT Agroalimentaire Sud is a trusted resource for sustainable growth. It is composed of a team of 9 specialist engineers and is a proactive member of the Food’In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur network, which is backed by a network of 200 member organisations. Each year, CRITT mobilises over 400 companies, maintains information on 1,000 regional establishments, and leverages 1,500 registered competence centres.
In the project, CRITT plays a crucial role by contributing its expertise to various activities, including the deployment and optimisation of on-site digital tools like electrochemical sensors and biosensors for detecting PFAS, pesticides, and heavy metals. It ensures tool sensitivity, accuracy, and reliability through calibration, validation, and quality control using certified analytical methods and ecotoxicological tests.
CRITT develops sample extraction protocols emphasising green chemistry and compatibility with field applications and collaborates on deploying AI-driven edge modules for real-time data analysis, security, and transmission. It supports the demonstration and testing of innovative solutions in real-world conditions, evaluating performance, user perspectives, and impacts on pollutant monitoring. Additionally, CRITT enhances soil management practices by ensuring the safety of agricultural products, contributes to life-cycle sustainability assessments to analyse environmental, economic, and social impacts, and supports business planning for the market integration of the developed technologies. It is also in charge of the clustering activities and networking of the project.
Drone Hopper SL (DH)
DRONE HOPPER S.L.U., a Spanish startup founded by aerospace engineer and former Airbus Chief Engineer Mr. Pablo Flores. The team consists of 27 experienced multidisciplinary members and 4 independent experts skilled in engineering, commercial, and management domains. Established with the vision of becoming a pioneer in the UAS market, the company leverages its patented technology to address global challenges such as forest and urban firefighting, precision agriculture, surveillance, search and rescue, and parcel and medical delivery, thereby improving quality of life and reducing human risk.
In 2022, the company launched the “Drone Hopper Research Center,” focusing on innovative UAV development aligned with EU regulations. This center addresses areas such as communication, networking, and mechanical engineering, while fostering academic collaboration by supervising Master’s and PhD students in partnership with universities within and beyond Spain.
Eulambia Advanced Technologies Etairia Periorismenis Efthinis (EULA)
iKnowHow (IKH)
iKnowHow, a Greek technology firm based in Athens, was founded in 2002 and has grown significantly, employing over 120 engineers and IT professionals. The company holds a substantial market share in Greece, Cyprus, and Europe, offering bespoke software solutions and specialised ICT strategy consulting services. iKnowHow is organised into three business units—digital government, healthcare, and robotics—and provides advanced enterprise applications in areas such as digital government, business automation, information security, digital transformation, e-health, and industrial automation.
iKnowHow’s mission is to deliver technology and innovation with passion, leading by example, and ensuring reliable delivery of promises. Its vision is to be the trusted choice for companies seeking meaningful technology solutions and a preferred workplace for individuals passionate about innovation and a people-first culture.
National Observatory of Athens (NOA)
The National Observatory of Athens (NOA) is a public research institution founded in 1842. It operates under the General Secretariat for Research and Technology within Greece’s Ministry of Development and Investments. NOA’s mission is to advance scientific progress and contribute to societal development through its extensive research in fields such as Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications, Environmental Science, Energy, Meteorology, Seismology, and Geodynamics.
The BEYOND Centre for Earth Observation Research and Satellite Remote Sensing, an operational unit within NOA’s Institute for Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications & Remote Sensing (IAASARS), focuses on enhancing the value of space-based data and services. BEYOND’s mission is to translate Earth Observation data into actionable insights, supporting decision-making and aligning with stakeholder priorities. With a vision to become a leading European Centre of Excellence, BEYOND is committed to advancing remote sensing science and developing practical, innovative applications.
BEYOND actively participates in national and EU-funded research projects, earning a strong reputation for its expertise in Earth Observation-based environmental monitoring and disaster risk reduction. It delivers cross-sector research and services in critical economic areas, including Agri-food, Renewable Energy, Health, and Cultural Heritage. BEYOND consists of a large multidisciplinary team of 52 scientists covering various expertise (Fire Risk Modellers, Atmospheric Modellers, AI Experts, EO Algorithm Engineers, DevOps Engineers, Data Scientists, Ecosystem Services Modellers, IT Experts, GIS Engineers, Software Developers, Project Managers).
NOA plays a key role in the E-SPFdigit project, particularly in leveraging satellite remote sensing and machine learning models to predict soil and microbiome health. NOA is responsible for integrating high-resolution satellite data from the Sentinel satellite series to derive agricultural and soil-related indices, which are essential for monitoring and forecasting the effects of various soil contaminants. In collaboration with other partners, NOA contributes to developing causal machine learning models that predict the impact of multiple anthropogenic inputs, such as fertilisers and pesticides, on soil microbiomes and ecosystem services. These models will inform decision support systems (DSS), enabling better soil management and early detection of biological threats like Fusarium and Pythium in contaminated farm soils.
Sidroco Holdings Ltd (SH)
SH integrates security analysis, master planning, and concept design to offer cost-effective controls that safeguard information assets against perceived threats. Its innovative technological solutions include aerial surveillance, monitoring systems, and integrated IDS enhanced with robust visual-based anomaly detection. Additionally, the company develops vision-based IPS systems tailored to modern IoT and network infrastructures, with a focus on addressing critical threats such as hijacking, DoS, jamming attacks, and rooting destruction in fixed, mobile, and flying IoT devices.
Engaged in R&D, SH designs lightweight security components and pioneering solutions for various industrial sectors, including energy, healthcare, and autonomous driving. Its areas of expertise encompass artificial intelligence, security and privacy, telecommunication and 5G networks, big data visual-aided analytics, smart transportation systems, and smart farming systems. Sidroco aims to significantly impact the NG-IoT era by delivering innovative products, platforms, and solutions aligned with the digital transformation needs of critical and non-critical domains.
Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação (SPI)
Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação (SPI) is a private consulting company with extensive knowledge of both the private and public sectors, focused on boosting innovation.
Since its inception in 1996, SPI has become a leading promoter of linkages between private sector companies, Science and Technology institutions, and National and International public and private organizations. From its onset, SPI embraced the mission of managing projects that promote regional, national and international development, stimulate entrepreneurship, innovation and knowledge management and encourage internationalization and creation of strategic partnerships and business relationships. It has an extensive experience In the Horizon funded Framework, having developed more than 50 projects in Horizon2020 and around 30 Horizon Europe.
SPI plays a central role in the dissemination and exploitation of the E-SPFdigit project, particularly in leading communication, training, and exploitation activities.
T.E. Laboratories Limited (TelLab)
T.E. Laboratories Ltd (TelLab) is a small-to-medium enterprise (SME) established in 1991 and located in Tullow, Co Carlow, Ireland.
The company also possesses a dedicated R&D centre, staffed by a multidisciplinary team focused on creating new products, particularly in the field of water sensor technology, with substantial market potential. In addition to funding research from internal resources, TelLab participates in both national and European projects.
TelLab (T.E. Laboratories Limited) is instrumental in the development and deployment of automated portable nutrient analysers for real-time soil monitoring in the E-SPFdigit project. Leading the task of creating a low-cost automated portable analyser, TelLab integrates novel electrochemical sensors for detecting key soil nutrients such as pH, phosphate, ammonium, and nitrate. These analysers are designed for in-situ soil pore water monitoring, contributing to the rapid, real-time detection of chemical stressors in soil. Additionally, TelLab is responsible for developing automated sample intake systems that ensure seamless operation in field conditions. By leveraging existing web-based portals, it ensures real-time data transmission to decision support systems (DSS), facilitating data-driven decisions in soil management and contributing to the development of predictive models powered by machine learning algorithms.
Trilateral Research Limited (TRI IE)
Trilateral Research, founded in 2004, is a research-driven innovation company based in the UK and Ireland. Its interdisciplinary teams bridge the technology-social divide, designing bespoke and novel solutions that address complex societal challenges. The company provides regulatory and policy advice, develops cutting-edge data-driven technologies, and contributes to advancing standards in privacy, ethics, and human rights for both public and private sectors.
Passionate about making the world a better place, Trilateral Research focuses on delivering Ethical AI solutions to tackle pressing social issues. With award-winning services in research, data protection, cyber-risk, ethics innovation, and sociotechnical insights, the company adopts an integrated approach that combines technical, legal, and social science dimensions. This methodology ensures clients can ask the right questions, analyse relevant data, and derive meaningful insights to drive impactful actions.
Trilateral’s Ethical AI solutions have a tangible impact on addressing critical challenges, including modern slavery, human trafficking, climate action, child exploitation, and human security in conflict and crisis settings. By aligning its efforts with these pressing global issues, Trilateral Research continues to innovate for meaningful change.
TRI IE (Trilateral Research Limited) plays an essential role in the E-SPFdigit project with a focus on data management, intellectual property (IP) management, and ensuring compliance with ethical standards. TRI is responsible for leading the development of the Data Management Plan (DMP), which outlines the lifecycle for data collected, processed, or generated during the project, and ensures compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. TRI also leads the innovation management tasks, which include identifying and protecting foreground intellectual property (IP) arising from the project and ensuring the proper commercialisation of innovations. Furthermore, TRI oversees the creation and maintenance of the Gender Equality Plan (GEP) and ensures the project adheres to relevant ethical guidelines, particularly regarding privacy and data ethics. Additionally, TRI contributes to policy recommendations and standardisation efforts aimed at integrating the project outcomes into relevant regulatory frameworks and standards.
Tyndall National Institute (TNI)
The Tyndall National Institute, based in Cork, Ireland, is one of Europe’s leading research centres specialising in deep-tech innovation and commercialisation in microelectronics, photonics, energy, and nanotechnology. Established in 2004 and affiliated with University College Cork (UCC), Tyndall plays a pivotal role in supporting Irish and European industries by conducting advanced research and developing solutions for challenges in information and communication technologies (ICT) and energy.
Renowned for its expertise in semiconductor research, integrated circuit design, and photonic devices, Tyndall boasts state-of-the-art facilities for fabrication and prototyping. The institute collaborates with industry partners, academic institutions, and government organisations to deliver cutting-edge technologies and promote economic growth. Its mission focuses on fostering innovation, advancing knowledge, and enabling sustainable technologies through an interdisciplinary approach, with a strong emphasis on addressing global challenges such as climate change and energy efficiency.
Aligned with its vision of “excellent impact from excellent research,” Tyndall aims to deliver value to the Irish economy through groundbreaking research, supporting Ireland’s transition to a green economy and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Tyndall National Institute (TNI) contributes to the E-SPFdigit project with its expertise in advanced sensing technologies and remote sensing platforms for soil monitoring. Tyndall leads the development of satellite-based and UAV-based remote sensing systems, integrating these technologies to monitor soil health and ecosystem dynamics. Tyndall is responsible for deploying multi-modal sensors that detect and analyse soil stressors, including chemical contaminants, temperature, and moisture levels, using hyperspectral imaging and thermal sensors. This information is fed into machine learning models for predicting the impacts of various stressors on soil microbial diversity and agricultural outputs. Additionally, Tyndall supports the integration of real-time data processing systems that enhance the predictive power of these technologies, ensuring actionable insights for soil management practices.
Universite D'Angers (UA)
Located on the first floor of Building C at the Faculty of Science and Technology in Angers, GA&P focuses on innovative methods and bioprocesses for treating aquatic pollution, including nanofiltration, photoreactors, and biopiles, as well as the development of electrochemical sensors for detecting organic micropollutants such as pharmaceutical compounds and PFAS molecules.
The team also addresses process life cycle analysis, led by Assistant Prof. Mehri Shabani from ESAIP, who heads this initiative.
It plays a leading role in advancing the development and deployment of innovative sensor technologies and extraction protocols for onsite soil monitoring within the E-SPFdigit project, by leading the design and optimisation of electrochemical sensors modified with molecularly imprinted polymers (ECS-MIP) for real-time detection and quantification of PFAS compounds in soil, water, and crops.
Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT)
Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) is a public university with a rich tradition in engineering and economic studies. UPCT’s mission includes the dissemination of knowledge and the creation of scientific and technological advancements. The university emphasises international cooperation, mobility, and the promotion of research, development, and innovation in partnership with diverse institutions.
UPCT provides academic programmes focused on engineering and economics and welcomes approximately 200 foreign students and lecturers each year. The university’s robust research environment is supported by over 90 R&D groups working across disciplines such as business administration, legal sciences, environmental engineering, ICT, manufacturing, and architecture.
The staff at UPCT’s European Projects Office play an integral role within the university and beyond. With more than a decade of experience in the preparation and implementation of international projects, they are also members of the Ethics in Research Committee, Gender Commission, and SDG Work Group, and participate in the European Projects Offices Network within CRUE (the Association of Spanish Universities).
On the E-SPFdigit project, UPCT leads the field testing and optimisation of the digital tools in real agricultural environments. UPCT contributes significantly to the validation of onsite technologies, particularly in detecting and quantifying chemical contaminants and monitoring soil health. The university focuses on open-field testing at their experimental sites, conducting trials on the effects of pollutants such as heavy metals and pesticides on crops. UPCT is also involved in data collection for AI model training, particularly for agricultural pests and diseases, integrating hyperspectral imaging and other digital tools.
University of Thessaly (UTH)
The University of Thessaly (UTH), specifically its Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, is located in Thessaly, Greece, with a significant presence in Volos. This department is known for its emphasis on applied and technological research in agriculture, aiming to develop new products and services that bring environmental, economic, and social benefits. UTH is committed to advancing agricultural practices that create substantial impact both regionally and globally. The university ranks 3rd among Greek universities and places within the top 800 institutions globally according to the World University Rankings.
A cornerstone of its research capability is the Laboratory of Agricultural Constructions & Environmental Control (LACEC), which is renowned for its work in greenhouse design, management, and automation. LACEC’s research extends to areas such as circular economy, sustainable agriculture, smart farming, optimized resource use, and environmental footprint assessments in agricultural systems. Over the years, it has participated in more than 50 research projects, taking a coordinating role in over 30 of them, and has contributed extensively to the scientific community through over 100 peer-reviewed journal papers and 300 conference proceedings. These numbers underscore the department’s substantial contributions to agricultural advancements.
UTH contributes to the E-SPFdigit project through experimental validation, laboratory analysis, and field testing of innovative tools for monitoring soil contaminants such as PFAS and heavy metals. UTH ensures the accuracy of sensors and on-site analytical methods while supporting the integration of field data into predictive models and decision support systems, advancing sustainable soil management practices.
Stichting Wageningen Research (WFSR)
Stichting Wageningen Research (WR), part of Wageningen University & Research (WUR), represents a collaboration between Wageningen University (WU) and the specialised research institutes under Stichting Wageningen Research. Legally represented by the Chair of the Board of Wageningen UR or an authorised representative, WR focuses on application-oriented and field-based research in the domains of healthy food and living environments.
Zentrix Lab - Research & Innovation (ZENTRIX)
Zentrix Lab, a small-to-medium enterprise (SME) specialising in research and innovation, was founded by former Ericsson employees and maintains offices in Serbia and Estonia. The organisation’s mission is to foster innovation in software and hardware development, focusing on the integration and application of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) across a variety of industries.
Its operations are divided into two main branches. The Research & Innovation department is dedicated to the development of advanced software and hardware solutions, with a strong emphasis on exploring and applying DLT, IoT, and AI technologies. Meanwhile, the commercial department develops customised solutions for sectors including fintech, retail, logistics, health, and gaming.
In the E-SPFdigit project, Zentrix primarily focuses on data processing, machine learning, and sensor integration. They contribute to the AI-driven analysis of the data collected from various sensors, enhancing the project’s predictive capabilities. This includes processing data from electrochemical sensors for detecting heavy metals and micronutrients, and optimising sensor fusion techniques for better data integration across the platform. Zentrix supports the development of machine learning algorithms that improve the accuracy of predictions related to soil health, contaminant levels, and crop conditions. Additionally, Zentrix is involved in ensuring that the data generated is accurately analysed, providing vital insights for the development of decision support systems (DSS). This role is integral to making the tools not only functional but also intelligent, helping optimise the decision-making process for sustainable farming and environmental management.
Presentation
About the pilots
There, extensive field testing and optimisation of advanced digital tools designed for application in viticulture and horticulture will be undertaken for improved soil management practices.
Know more
Pilot Site Greece (Velestino)
Located at an altitude of 70 meters above sea level and spanning 15 hectares, serves as a key research and educational resource for the Department. It features infrastructure such as 0.25 hectares of greenhouses, laboratories, and facilities for agricultural equipment storage and maintenance, while the remaining area is dedicated to orchards, vineyards, and other crops.
More information
The site will function as a hub for field testing and optimizing advanced digital tools tailored for viticulture and horticulture. Innovations include ECS-MIP sensors with SPME for real-time PFAS/PFOS soil contaminant analysis, multiplex organic SPR biosensors for onsite pesticide detection, and AI-driven EC-IDE sensors to measure heavy metals and micronutrients for improved soil health. Digital UVC nutrient analyzers will monitor soil water characteristics critical for nutrient management. Automated mobile robots (AMR) and UAVs with robotized platforms will enhance soil sample collection and monitoring efficiency, while agro-robots will inspect vineyards and fields for biotic and abiotic stress, enabling timely crop management. Additionally, satellite remote sensing will predict crop-soil-microbiome interactions in contaminated pilot farms, providing large-scale insights into soil and crop health.
Know more
Pilot Site Spain
More information
News & Events
The Road to Sustainability and Soil Protection Seminar by APEMETA
On December 13th, E-SPFdigit was highlighted at the seminar “The...
Read More
A new publication by CERTH and IKH, supported by E-SPFdigit and PestNu, has been featured in the Agriculture Journal by MDPI. This study explores the use of AI-driven detection for early Botrytis cinerea disease (gray mold) in pepper crops.
A new publication by CERTH and IKH, supported by E-SPFdigit...
Read More
Proximal Sensing, Drones & Soil: Join the Future of Soil Health Monitoring
Proximal Sensing, Drones & Soil: Join the Future of Soil...
Read More