'GASPOF - Pervasive gas sensing using optical fibers, as part of the communication network of the future.´

Funding: EUROPEAN COMMISSION RESEARCH EXECUTIVE AGENCY - HORIZON-CL4-2024-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01
Grant Agreement 101189654

Using fibre sensor networks, distributed information can be gathered even from places that are difficult or even impossible to be reached by other means. However, so far, such distributed fibre sensing networks are not capable of providing access to distributed chemical information along the fibre. In particular, highly selective and sensitive information on the concentration of various gases along the fibre cannot be obtained on a routine basis despite being desirable and needed in many different application scenarios. It is therefore tempting to explore the potential of integrating innovative optical gas sensing nodes along optical fibres, towards their massive deployment in existing telecom infrastructures. New developments in optical gas spectroscopy have opened up new prospects for remote gas sensing applications, addressing the limitations of current analytical methods in terms of sensitivity, ease-of-use and miniaturization. Nevertheless, there are important challenges to overcome before such a joint use of the fibers network for both communication and gas sensing becomes posible.

GASPOF addresses these challenges, contributing to the development of the optical infrastructure of the future, where the communications network also acts as a large-scale distributed multi-parameter sensor. Focus will be put on two different optical techniques for gas sensing using the fiber-optics network: laser-based PTS and LHR. Both techniques will be advanced and integrated with the existing optical fibers network infrastructure. In parallel, we will investigate the possibility of using coherent OTDR for distributed gas sensing, while a reduced-cost approach for acoustic sensing will also be designed for measuring physical parameters of interest (e.g. vibrations) in addition to gas sensing. The GASPOF system configurations will demonstrate their performance and capabilities in important 4 application use cases.

'TeraIBs - Terahertz Integrated Bio-sensing from molecular, vesicular to the cellular and tissue level'

Funding: EUROPEAN COMMISSION RESEARCH EXECUTIVE AGENCY - HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01
Grant Agreement 101169419

THz biosensorics is a strongly growing field of research, as many biomolecules and biomolecular complexes exhibit application-relevant intramolecular and intermolecular resonances in this frequency range, with great potential for a wide range of biomedical and diagnostic applications. The TeralBs project aims to develop a radically new technology based on THz radiation for biomedical detection and diagnosis, based on a team of Doctoral Candidates (DCs) with the necessary in-depth background in devices and systems, spectroscopic techniques and biomedical measurement knowledge using THz radiation. To this end, all DCs projects are built around three major technological challenges of THz technology for biomedical applications: the development of cost-effective, sensitive, integrated THz technologies; the exploitation of the high specificity multi-analyte capabilities of THz; and the development of flexible and reliable THz analytical instrumentation and robust information extraction. The DCs projects configure a research programme structured in three research lines, which guide all technological developments in the project: RL1 on biomolecules, RL2 on vesicles and viruses, and RL3 on organ-on-chip sensing.

At the end of the project, all the technological developments will be brought together in three demonstrators: a modular all-electronic system for the read-out of metamaterial-based THz biosensors, a fully integrated photonic THz sensor for biomedical applications, and an organ-on-chip model that will be used to validate the different THz sensors and technologies developed in the project in a biomedical-relevant scenario. The multidisciplinary knowledge gained by the DCs will enable them to explore new concepts in the broad field of future biomedical applications, equipped with an attractive set of transferable skills relevant to innovation, long-term employability, and leadership in the field of biomedical applications and THz technologies

'CODE: RE-FARM: CONSUMER-DRIVEN DEMANDS TO REFRAME FARMING SYSTEMS´

FUNDING: European Commission. H2020.
UE-H2020-FNR-2020; Grant Agreement 101000216

The overall objective of the Code Re-farm project is to contribute to a better understanding of the relationships between different poultry and goat production systems and the intrinsic quality of the resulting products. This assessment will be used, together with indicators of the demand for the different products and the sustainability of the production processes employed, to provide new solutions to implement efficient and sustainable farms that are highly adapted to consumer demands. In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the research team of the project is highly multidisciplinary and has partners with specialities ranging from livestock farming to the manufacture of laser devices. In particular, UC3M is one of the partners involved in the development of the gas analysers that will measure the concentrations of certain gaseous compounds inside the stables; it is also leading the design of one of these devices.

'Development of New digital Microphone-MEMS-Sensors for wind tunnels with open/closed test sections and flight tests' (AEROMIC)

FUNDING: Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking (JU).
Grant Agreement 101007958.

AEROMIC aims at envisioning an innovative sensor technology for aeroacoustic measurements based on high performance MEMS microphones integrated as microphone arrays, and the development of a compact smart sensor surface through the integration of sensors and electronic components using vertical integration technology. With this goal, prototypes of the required instrumentation for wind tunnel and flight testing will be provided. After the project, the instrumentation approach is matured to a turnkey-instrumentation solution and MEMS microphones are industrialized to mass production and can be applied in various high-performance applications. This breakthrough of the sensor technology based on MEMS microphones and its tremendous advances in aeroacoustic applications will open completely new possibilities in these research areas.

'A collaborative platform to provide a relevant training on nanosat technology through Student Challenges’ (SOE2/P1/F0684)

FUNDING: Interreg SUDOE
(European Regional Dev. Fund)

NANOSTAR is a network of excellence among universities, the regional industry and the scientific ecosystem in order to create a leading platform in Europe on nanosatellites. The challenge of the project is to provide students with the experience of a real space engineering process that includes all stages, from conception and specifications, to design, assembly, integration, testing and documentation. That is, the whole process through a network that combines high-level engineering careers and entrepreneurial ventures in the area of nanosatellites.
The consortium is composed of 7 universities and 2 aerospace clusters, plus 3 ESA Business Incubation Centres as associates, in France, Spain and Portugal. To support the emergence of a dynamic environment around the construction of nanosatellites in the south west of Europe, these partners have proposed a collaborative project to link their resources. The main actions are the partners resources catalogue, the development of Concurrent Design Facility software, the work methodology and the Student Challenges to test the network and train future engineers of this field.

'Convergence of Electronics and Photonics Technologies for Enabling Terahertz Applications' (CELTA)

FUNDING: European Commission.
H2020.: H2020-MSCA-ITN-2015-675683

CELTA aims to produce the next generation of researchers who will enable Europe to take a leading role in the multidisciplinary area of utilising Terahertz technology for applications involving components and complete systems for sensing, instrumentation, imaging, spectroscopy, and communications. All these technologies are keys to tackling challenges and creating solutions in a large number of focus areas relevant for the societal challenges identified in the Horizon 2020 programme. To achieve this objective, CELTA is comprised of 11 leading research institutions and has assembled a comprehensive research training programme for all the 15 early-stage researchers (ESRs). In this project SITec has developed a novel THz dual-comb architecture with applications in gas spectroscopy and other fields.

Taking Hyperspectral Terahertz Imaging to the Industry’ (HYPERTERA)

FUNDING: European Commission Research Executive Agency. ATTRACT initiative (Grant Agreement 777222).

The aim of this project is the development of the architecture of dual-comb sources operating in the terahertz range that are capable of transforming a regular video camera into a high-resolution hyperspectral imaging system to be employed for the monitoring of agri-food products.

'Integrated optics-based millimeter-wave spectrometer for on-line quality control in the paper industry – PIC-PAPER. '

Funding: AGENCIA ESTATAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN (AEI) – PRTR-PDC2023-145875-I00

The PIC-PAPER project investigates the behavior of various types of paper under low frequency electromagnetic waves (THz), with the main objective of developing a non-radioactive method to measure the grammage (GSM) of paper. Current industrial sensors rely on radioactive sources such as krypton-85, which impose significant safety, regulatory and economic burdens. Taking advantage of THz spectroscopy in the 100-600 GHz range, this study aims to determine whether this spectral region can provide accurate GSM measurements, especially considering its strong interaction with water molecules, a key factor in paper characterization. The research includes systematic transmission measurements under varying environmental conditions, including humidity and temperature, to extract relevant spectral features and develop regression models for GSM estimation.

Data processing will include feature selection and machine learning algorithms to identify the most informative spectral regions. If THz proves insufficient for this application, alternative approaches such as THz image integration or spectroscopy in other infrared regions may be explored.

Ultimately, this work aims to contribute to a more sustainable and efficient approach to paper characterization, reducing reliance on hazardous materials while maintaining or even improving industrial accuracy standards.

'PERTE Chip Collaboration Chair UC3M – Arquimea Research Center to Advance the Application of Photonics and Integrated Electronics in New Quantum Technologies '

FUNDING: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation - University-Industry CHIP Chairs under the PERTE Chip initiative

Duration: January 2024 – July 2027

EPIQ PERTE Chip Chair main objective is to establishing a stable and mutually enriching scientific and educational collaboration between academia and industry to advance the application of photonics and integrated electronics in emerging quantum technologies.
This collaboration encompasses several dimensions:

- Research and development of photonic and electronic chips:
(Line 1): Quantum detection for spectroscopy
(Line 2): Multi-detection with diamond vacancy centers
(Line 3): Electronic chips for post-quantum cryptography
(Line 4): Quantum key distribution

- Training of young PhD researchers oriented toward industry and promotion of undergraduate and master’s education in integrated technologies applied to the new quantum revolution

‘New technologies for smart water management in truffle growing - Phase 2'
(WATERTRUF PHASE 2)

FUNDING: Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo del Gobierno de España y Unión Europea – Next Generation EU. (AEI-010500-2023-181)

The cultivation of the black truffle constitutes a new source of resources, with a growing economic and social importance, especially in depopulated Spain. Holm oak plots are mostly located in areas with low rainfall and degraded soils, so irrigation is a basic task, given the current context of low rainfall. Knowledge of the physiological state of the holm oak in response to water stress is perceived as a value proposition to establish the need for irrigation in truffle plantations, optimising truffle production in terms of quantity and quality parameters. To this end, IoT digital technologies, sensors, Cloud and Machine Learning (all of them applied in WATERTRUF) play a fundamental role, as they allow the end user to monitor and know in real time the water status of the plantation.

‘Towards the next generation of atmospheric carbon cycle monitoring sensors'
(Carbon Survey)

FUNDING: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (TED2021-131695B-I00)

The main expected contribution of this project is to address the current weaknesses of traditional technologies, which are bulky, expensive and highly technically demanding, through the development of a new generation instruments enabling unprecedented CO2 monitoring capabilities, the biggest GHG contributor to human-caused global warming. These new sensors will provide an accurate measurement of the gaseous concentration, not only at ground level but also at the different layers of the atmosphere, for a full characterization of the CO2 distribution.

The necessary technical contributions required to reach the main goal of the project involve two complementary developments: (i) a Laser Heterodyne Radiometer capable of obtaining the vertical profile of CO2 and the isotopic ratio and (ii) a Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy solution for in situ, surface, GHG measurements.

The feasibility of the proposed methodology is supported by the extensive experience of the research team behind the proposal, composed of a large group of researchers from the Sensors and Instrumentation Techniques Group from the University Carlos III of Madrid and by members of the Izaña Atmospheric Research Center from the State Meteorological Agency of Spain (AEMET).

'Linear and Non-Linear Spectroscopy of Dual Optical Frequency Combs for Biomedical, Environmental and Industrial Applications’ (LOLI-COMB)

FUNDING: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (PID2020-116439GB-I00).

Dual-Comb Spectroscopy (DCS) combines many of the strengths of conventional Fourier- Transform spectroscopy and tunable laser spectroscopy into a single platform further providing fast measurement times. In DCS two mutually coherent Optical Frequency Combs (OFCs) with slightly different repetition rates are combined in a photodiode mapping the spectral information of the measurement comb to the highly accessible Radiofrequency (RF) domain.

The project’s main objective that is to propose, explore and validate novel implementations of both linear and non-linear Dual Optical Frequency Comb architectures and test them in several biomedical, environmental and industrial applications not properly explored so far.

‘Real time assessment of water quality parameters using photonics components and architectures’ (PARAQUA)

FUNDING: Dirección General de Innovación y Competitividad. MINECO (TEC2017-86271-R)

This project focus on the study and implementation of prototypes using different photonic components and architectures for the identification and quantification of substances and emerging contaminants for water quality, including the detection of volatile organic compounds. Different spectroscopy techniques have been validated and compared including photoacoustics, dual-comb electro-optical systems and dispersion spectroscopy in the NIR and MIR.

‘Multimode photonics sources for spectroscopy and fiber optic sensors interrogation' (MOSSI)

FUNDING: Dirección General de Innovación y Competitividad. MINECO (TEC2014-52147-R)

In this project, several architectures based on multimode optical sources (Optical frequency combs) were developed in order to obtain ultra-high resolution, fast, and highly sensitive spectroscopy systems for application in various fields such as gas sensing, interrogation of optical fiber sensors, biomedicine and security and defense, among others. Among the most important scientific milestones achieved in the project we can highlight the proposal of the standard architecture of Dual-comb schemes based on electro-optical modulators currently used by several groups in the world; the demonstration, for the first time, of a dispersion spectroscopy measurement system using EOMs Dual-combs; the demonstration, for the first time, of a mid-infrared spectroscopy system using EOMs dual-combs and a single non-linear crystal; and the first dual-comb spectroscopy scheme in the THz range using EOMs.

‘HyCoTec-CM - Quantitative Characterization Techniques for Hydrogen-based Fuel Combustion'

Funding: Comunidad de Madrid - Dirección General de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica - TEC-2024/ECO99

The main objective of this project is to establish and maintain the most extensive collaborative network of research groups in the Community of Madrid specialized in the research of new carbon-free fuels. Today there is a clear need to develop new technologies to address the various challenges posed by the adoption of such fuels. This consortium has been organized with the idea of addressing many of these challenges, making outstanding contributions in areas such as numerical modeling, state-of-the-art experimental validations and the development of new tools for the analysis of combustion processes.

‘NeuroBiopieltec-CM - Integration of new organ-on-chip technologies for the study of skin and neurodegenerative diseases'

Funding: Comunidad de Madrid - Dirección General de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica - TEC-2024/BIO-98

NeuroBioPielTec-CM aims to bring together leading research groups in the Community of Madrid around one of the most important current challenges in the field of biomedicine/biotechnology: the development of new technologies for personalized therapies/medicines based on the use of organ-on-chip platforms. This will be done from the technological development of sensorized microfluidic platforms for the development of organ-on-chip systems (skin-on-chip and brain-on-chip), including models of different relevant pathologies (psoriasis and Alzheimer's disease), and their subsequent use for the evaluation of different in-vitro therapies.

‘Nuevas Tecnologías de Fabricación y Optimización de Tejidos: La Piel como Sistema Modelo' (BIOIPIELTEC-CM)

Fundong: Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid. Consejería de Educación, Juventud y Deporte (P2018/BAA-4480)

The aim of BIOPIELTEC-CM is to bring together top research groups from the Community of Madrid around one of the most important technological challenges in the field of biomedicine/biotechnology: the development of viable and functional tissues and organs manufacturing technologies, and the optimization of these for their clinical and industrial application. The fundamental objective is to improve both the methods of manufacturing biological (artificial) tissues, using 3D bio-printing techniques, and their functionalities (biological and non-biological), using as a model system the most extensive organ of the human body: the skin; although the techniques and concepts proposed to be developed are susceptible to be applied to other tissues and organs.

‘Development evaluation and validation of a new non-invasive assessment system for flaps in reconstructive surgery'

FUNDING: Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Ministerio de Economía, Industria y competitividad (DTS19/00146)

This project aims to develop an instrument based on optical spectroscopy in the visible range capable of monitoring the state of skin grafts (by measuring mainly hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation) and of detecting hematoma during the surgical practice and the post-operative period.

‘Development evaluation and validation of a new non-invasive diagnostic tool for sustained hyperglycaemia detection using millimetre wave spectroscopy’

FUNDING: Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Ministerio de Economía, Industria y competitividad (DTS17/00135)

The objective of this project was the development, validation and evaluation of a new tool that allows the measurement of sustained hyperglycemia in humans using millimeter-wave spectroscopy, with the ultimate goal of obtaining a non-invasive, compact, portable and easy-to-use diagnostic and monitoring system for diabetes. This tool was tested in a study of diagnostic utility in humans to evaluate its performance against the usual methods of evaluation of glycemic control in the short, medium, and long term. The results obtained showed that the measured spectral response can provide an excellent indicator of sustained hyperglycemia closely related to the HbA1c value.