Radboud University
The Life Science Trace Detection Laboratory or TDLab (part of Analytical Chemistry and Chemometrics) operates a variety of state-of-the-art trace gas detectors that allow real time measurements with detection levels at or below parts per billion volume level.
The experiments offer high temporal and spatial resolution, so that fast reactions of biological material become directly observable. The laboratory is available to internal and external users.
Our laboratory houses and develops different optical/laser sources. Coupled to advanced absorption spectroscopy techniques, they are used for trace gas detection, including biological, environmental, and medical applications. The infrastructure is equipped for gases like ethylene, methane, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, acids, and many more.
Figure: Typical absorption regions of some important gases (Generated by SpectralCalc).
Our laboratory houses and develops different optical/laser sources. Coupled to advanced absorption spectroscopy techniques, they are used for trace gas detection, including biological, environmental, and medical applications. The infrastructure is equipped for gases like ethylene, methane, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, acids, and many more.
Photo: The GC-IMS in the TDLab.
In the facility you can use-of-the-art laser-based spectroscopy and mass spectrometry for a wide range of gas concentrations (from sub ppb level to ppm and percentages). Most of these methodologies are developed for reliable detection and quantification of volatile compounds in a specific application. Various examples of applications include: Breath analysis, Post-harvest research, Chemical reactions in plasmas, Measuring pollutants and outdoor emissions, Microbiology, Entomology, and Plant physiology.
The facility is used in many projects of the Analytical Chemistry & Chemometrics department. Below is for instance a video of the FLying ultrA-broadband single-shot Infra-Red sensor (FLAIR), a finished project where UAV-mounted sensors were used for large-scale, sensitive air quality monitoring to combat air pollution and its severe health impacts.
The Life Science Trace Detection Laboratory is available to internal and external users. The facility is located in the Huygens building, 1st floor, wing 7.
For more information or to request access, please get in touch with Simona Cristescu.