Fraunhofer IAF Strengthens Nanopore Research with nanodiag BW and Nanopod

Fraunhofer IAF is expanding its activities in the field of nanopore technology. In the cluster4future nanodiag BW and the preliminary research project Nanopod, the institute is developing key technologies for highly sensitive sensor systems designed to detect individual viruses, proteins, and other nanoscale particles in real time. The goal is to make high-quality, reproducible solid-state membranes available for industrial applications.

Nanopores are tiny openings on the nanometer scale in thin membranes that serve as highly sensitive "gateways" for individual molecules and particles. When proteins, DNA strands, or viruses pass through these pores, they alter measurable electrical or optical signals, from which information about structure and composition can be obtained. The technology is primarily applied in molecular diagnostics—for example, in the analysis of proteins and epigenetic modifications, or in the detection of viruses.

nanodiag BW: cluster4future for molecular diagnostics

The cluster4future nanodiag BW entered its second project phase in April 2026. Its aim is a new generation of molecular diagnostics based on nanopore technology that enables real-time analysis of individual protein segments. A particular focus is on epigenetic modifications, which play an important role in diseases such as cancer or neurodegenerative disorders. Through cost-effective, on-site methods, the diagnostics of these markers are intended to become a low-threshold alternative to mass spectrometry. The cluster is coordinated by Hahn-Schickard and the Faculty of Medicine Freiburg and brings together more than 20 partners from research and industry in Baden-Württemberg.

As a newly joined project partner, Fraunhofer IAF takes on a central role in the development of solid-state nanopores. Using robust cleanroom processes involving electron beam lithography, dry etching, and membrane technology, scalable nanopore arrays in thin silicon nitride (SiN) membranes are being created, which are subsequently integrated with zero-mode waveguides (ZMWs). These nanopore membranes form the sensor element of the planned analyzer, which is designed to optically detect individual fluorescence-labeled viruses, extracellular vesicles, and other biological particles in the size range of 5 to 250 nanometers in a highly parallel manner.

Nanopod: nanopore analyzer for optical detection of foreign viruses

Closely linked to the cluster is the preliminary project Nanopod, in which Fraunhofer IAF is developing scalable solid-state nanopores in dielectric silicon nitride membranes. Here, too, the integration with zero-mode waveguides is a focus in order to further increase sensitivity and specificity in single-molecule detection and to enable medium-term commercialization.

To this end, Nanopod is testing an innovative process in which nanopores are structured using electron beam lithography even before the membrane is released. Fraunhofer IAF is optimizing resist processes, coating conditions, and exposure parameters to reproducibly create resist apertures of approximately 100 nanometers and below. In parallel, dry-chemical etching processes for 30 to 50 nanometer thin SiN membranes are being further developed to ensure high structural quality with sufficient mechanical stability. The result is intended to be a highly parallel optical sensor platform capable of quantifying nanoscale particles down to the femtomolar concentration range.

With this work, Fraunhofer IAF is closing a central gap in international nanopore research: the availability of high-quality, reproducible solid-state membranes in larger quantities. At the same time, the institute is laying the foundation for future industrial applications—ranging from diagnostics and biomedicine to highly sensitive quantum sensing.