MIRPHAB offering firms design, production and business planning for developing mid-IR devices for chemical sensing and spectroscopy

The European Commission project MIRPHAB (Mid InfraRed PHotonics devices fABrication for chemical sensing and spectroscopic applications), which is creating a pilot line to fabricate mid-infrared (MIR) sensors by 2020, is accepting proposals from companies that want to develop and prototype new MIR devices that operate in gas and liquid media. Companies can submit proposals for possible matching funds.

Funded by the Photonics Public Private Partnership, the MIRPHAB project brings together 18 leading European organizations and is coordinated by Grenoble-based CEA-Leti (a micro/nanotechnology research institute in the technology research branch of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, CEA).

The project produces MIR photonic devices via assembled and/or packaged devices for laser-based, analytical MIR sensors and expert design for sensor components that are fabricated on the pilot line. The platform is organized so that development of novel sensors and sensing systems is based on MIR integrated optic components and modules already incorporated in MIRPHAB’s portfolio.

The aim of the MIRPHAB pilot line is to provide each customer with a unique chemical spectroscopic system by combining sources, photonic circuits and detectors in standard packaging.

“European industry requires more efficient control processes to gain greater productivity and operational efficiency, and this project will deliver the devices required to improve those processes,” says project coordinator Sergio Nicoletti at CEA-Leti. “MIRPHAB also will develop new sensor technology that provides novel analytical tools for companies to help improve people’s overall quality of life via environmental monitoring (e.g to measure VOC [volatile organic compounds]), food quality control (e.g. food spoilage or adulteration) and fast clinical diagnoses (e.g. provide cancer cells images),” he adds. “These are some of the areas where MIR sensors will play an increasingly significant role.”

In addition to providing device-design services for customers, the MIRPHAB team will help them develop sound business cases and strong business plans to commercialize their new devices. Potential cost-and-performance breakthroughs will be shown for reliable MIR sensing products based on building blocks provided by MIRPHAB. MIRPHAB will also act as a sustainable source of key components for new and highly competitive MIR sensors, and will support their market introduction, while strengthening the competitiveness of European industry.

Mid-infrared light interacts strongly with molecular vibrations as each molecule gives a unique absorption spectrum that provides a simple solution for sensing. The sensors’ reduced size and flexible design make them suitable candidates for integration into existing equipment for in-line/on-line detection.

The MIRPHAB team is hosting a booth (#ZB24) at the Sensors USA 2018 event in Santa Clara, CA, USA (14-15 November).

See related items:

MIRPHAB pilot line to provide tailor-made spectroscopy solutions

EU's MIRPHAB project unveils mid-IR chemical sensor six-times faster than alternatives

IQE joins €15m MIRPHAB project to establish mid-infrared photonics device fabrication supply chain

Tags: Mid-infrared detectors Leti

Visit: www.idtechex.com/sensors-usa

Visit: www.mirphab.eu

Visit: www.leti.fr