PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial applications and consumer products for their resistance to heat and water. That same resistance makes them extremely persistent, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” To date, PFAS are among the most widespread contaminants, found in water, soil, and air worldwide. The tightening of regulations and the growing awareness of the health and environmental risks associated with PFAS contamination are driving an urgent demand for rapid and accurate analytical solutions, which conventional approaches struggle to meet.

The META-SENSE project will develop a compact, regenerable nanosensor for the detection of PFAS directly in water within minutes. Based on state-of-the-art optical metasurfaces, the device will enable rapid, in situ quantification while reducing reliance on centralized laboratory analyses.

By supporting scalable water quality monitoring, META-SENSE aims to make environmental diagnostics more accessible and accelerate decision-making for screening and remediation, with the goal of facilitating the transition of the technology toward future industrial applications.