NWA Innovative Grant

Title: Novel Solution Towards Mapping the Individual Exposure

Duration: 2025 - 2027
Researchers: Simona M. Cristescu
Cost estimate: €150,000
Funding: NWO - NWA Innovative projects
Project partners: Leiden University, Cosine B.V, ArboUnie, Environmental Service Region Arnhem (ODRA) and Environmental Service Region Nijmegen (ODRN)

One of the major challenges in occupational health is the distribution of the hazardous gas substances in the workplace to assess the individual exposure.

Novel ultrabroadband mid-infrared supercontinuum light sources have opened new possibilities for spectroscopic trace gas detection. We have recently developed a coherent open-path spectroscopy (COPS) system based on such source and a custom-built Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) for multispecies detection of gases in the 2-12 µm region.

In this project, we propose a novel and innovative technological approach towards mapping the individual exposure that could have significant societal relevance. The innovation consists of the combination of two technologies: laser-based spectroscopy and imaging methods using infrared cameras generating a 3D map of the multispecies gas concentrations in real time.

We plan to combine the COPS with the methods that are used in traditional remote sensing. The new innovative combination of these technologies can provide novel solutions for both indoor (e.g. occupation safety and hazardous material monitoring) and outdoor (e.g. pollution monitoring and fast assessment of emissions in disasters) applications.