Trace Detection Laboratory - Radboud University

Trace Detection Laboratory

Who are we?

The Trace Detection Laboratory (TDLab) focuses on reliable detection and quantification of volatile compounds in complex gas mixtures. We develop and apply techniques and analytical methodologies using state-of-the-art mid-infrared laser-based spectroscopy (e.g. with broadband supercontinuum sources and custom-made Fourier transform spectrometers) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (e.g. PTR-ToF-MS) for a wide range of gas concentrations (from sub ppb level to ppm and percentages).

We aim to develop gas sensing systems that can be deployed in the field for various applications, such as biomarkers detection for precision medicine, fruit quality monitoring, dairy farming, air quality monitoring, process control, plasma diagnostics, etc. Our lab is also open to external parties for analysis using our state-of-the-art instrumentation.

The group is part of the Department of Spectroscopy and Catalysis within the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM), bridging chemistry and instrumental physics. We participate in the IMM research themes Structure and Dynamics of Molecules and Chemistry of Complex Systems

Highlights

Kickoff project Light To Insight

16 January 2026 | News



The project Light To Insight has officially started. The goal of the project is to develop an innovative photonics-based gas sensor for monitoring agricultural emissions

Postdoc positions available

01 December 2025 | Vacancies



We have several open Postdoc positions related to infrared spectroscopy with PICs and intrapulse difference-frequency generation-based laser sources, and open-path spectrosocpy. Find out more!

Joris Meurs featured in March 2025 issue of National Geographic magazine

03 March 2025 | Research news item



The collaborative research between TDLab and Naturalis Biodiversity Center on breath analysis of hay fever patients has been featured in the March 2025 issue of National Geographic magazine Find out more!