Research Goal

Goal: Development of compact sensing devices that can detect moleculs with simple and fast way

Detection of molecules has been performed using an expensive and large spectrometer in the laboratory. But if we can detect molecules with compact and portable devices, our lives will change completely. For example, air and water pollution will be verified in real-time at any place. We can easily solve the problem of counterfeit medicine. We will also be able to check the concentration of biomarkers such as glucose to make our health care easier and detect insecticides left on the surface of the vegetables. There would be a great opportunity to applicate this.

My research goal is the development of compact and stable molecular sensors that can integrate with mobile phones and laptops for fast identification of functional group of sample molecules. The energy level that we are trying to detect is mainly located at the mid-infrared (mid-IR) region which has sharp absorption peaks of molecules. 

We are now making 

1. Compact Mid-IR spectroscopy.

2. Methane leak point detector for factory level.  

We developed mid-IR compatible optical filter, mirror and sample holder. By using data processing, we are able to measure molecular information with fast and simple ways.