NanoPhoenix will develop a device to detect possible drugs dissolved in drinks as part of the GUARD – Gadget for Urgent Analysis of Rape Drugs project, together with the University of Padua and CNR-IOM.

GUARD: a project to tackle drink spiking

GUARD is a project aimed at developing a device to counter the phenomenon of drink spiking, namely the addition of psychoactive substances to a drink without the person’s knowledge, often taking advantage of a moment of distraction and frequently with the intent to commit sexual assault.

These substances, commonly known as date rape drugs, include, for example, GHB, ketamine, and benzodiazepines.

The goal of GUARD is therefore to develop a portable, pen-like device capable of detecting these substances in a simple and accurate way.

The project will be carried out in Trieste starting in April 2026 and is supported by the PR FESR 2021–2027 with funding of approximately €95,000.

NanoPhoenix and the anti-drink spiking device

Thanks to its expertise in microfluidics, electrochemical sensing, advanced materials, and miniaturized electronics, NanoPhoenix — a startup affiliated with and incubated by Bio4Dreams — has been awarded the development of the device, in a pathway that will extend from prototyping to field validation and subsequent industrialization.

Supporting the startup will also be the University of Padua, for the analytical characterization of beverage matrices, and the Institute of Materials Workshop of the CNR (CNR-IOM), for characterization activities and independent testing.

After AQUADETECT, the European project dedicated to the development of advanced optical sensors for monitoring aquatic environments, the award of GUARD confirms that NanoPhoenix’s technology and expertise are scalable and applicable across very different contexts.

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