Hello Marc, could you introduce yourself?

I’m Marc Debliquy, head of sensor-related activities at the University of Mons, specifically within the Materials Department of the Faculty of Engineering.
I am also the leader of Work Package 5 within the ALCOVE project.

What is the main challenge of this work package dedicated to sensors?

The goal of this work package is to develop sensitive sensors for gases emitted in exhaled breath, particularly those considered biomarkers of lung cancer.
In ALCOVE, we must detect gases — volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — that are present at very low concentrations. This means we need sensors that are extremely sensitive, capable of detecting levels typically below the parts‑per‑million range, that is, one molecule per million.
On top of this, these gases must be identified within a complex mixture, since exhaled breath contains more than a hundred different compounds. Among them, we must pinpoint those most relevant for detection.

In your view, why is collaboration so important in your field of work?

In the sensor work package, our ambition is to develop several complementary sensor technologies.
Our expertise focuses mainly on inorganic‑based sensors, but to broaden the panel, we collaborate with teams specialising in organic sensors, particularly our colleagues in France at IMT Nord Europe.
We also aim to enhance overall sensor sensitivity by moving from resistive sensors to transistor‑type sensors.
For this, we partner with a team from the University of Reims, who can produce transistor‑based substrates on which our sensitive layers can be deposited.
And of course, our daily partner is Materia Nova, who is in charge of miniaturisation, sensor testing, and producing fully functional devices.

Thank you Marc !

Watch the full video interview here:
ALCOVE – Marc Debliquy, Head of Sensor Activities – University of Mons – YouTube