Research Experience
My research interest is focused on different aspects of chemical sensors and automated analysis systems. During my studies and research, I have had the opportunity to investigate different kinds of optical sensors as detailed below. I have been able to gain experience in experimental aspects, as well as the theoretical part of sensor development. Furthermore, my work allowed me to investigate different chemometric methods for exploratory data analysis and the calibration of sensor systems.
Long-Period Grating Sensors
Description
For my PhD, I joined a project to develop a sensor system for environmental analysis based on an array of polymer-coated long-period gratings (LPGs). My research is focused on the fibre optic theory of the sensing element and the analysis of the data produced by the sensor system. The project is realised in collaboration with different universities and industry.
Contribution
- Developed a simulation programme to model the response of polymer coated LPGs under different conditions.
- Provided guidance in the selection of the LPG parameters and the optimisation of the polymers.
- Used chemometric methods to assess the information content of the data produced by the sensor system.
- Investigated new modes of operation of the LPG and improvements of its coating structure.
Downloads
Luminescence Sensor for Dissolved Oxygen
Description
In my masters project, I investigated the suitability of different luminescence measurements (life-time, phosphorescence and ratiometric fluorescence/phosphorescence measurements) for the employment in sensors for dissolved oxygen. The transducer was a dye immobilised on sol-gel material or, alternatively, on a resin.
Contribution
- Prepared the sensing material (dye immobilised on sol-gel or resin).
- Improved the experimental set-up to reduce interference from diffusion and temperature.
- Conducted the fluorescence, phosphorescence and life-time measurements.
ATR-FTIR Salinity Sensor
Description
In a research project during my studies at the Vienna University of Technology, I researched a sensor for the determination of the salinity of sea-water based on attenuated total internal reflection (ATR) using a modified Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer.
Contribution
- Investigated the feasibility of the determination of salinity of sea-water using ATR-FTIR.
- Conducted the ATR-FTIR experiments.
