Centre for Advanced Photonics & Process Analysis Gateway – CAPPA

The CAPPA Gateway, based in MTU Cork, applies light-based photonic technologies for near-to-market problems for industrial partners.

CAPPA’s Core Expertise

Manufacturing Technologies: Product/Process development 


Devices & Sensors for analysis/monitoring 


Food & beverages


Medtech & Pharmaceuticals  


New photonics devices involving Design/Lighting/Imaging 

CAPPA applies photonics solutions to industry across a wide range of sectors including: Food and Beverage, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Agri-Tech, Environmental and Telecommunications. Photonics is the science of generating, controlling and detecting light, and is a key enabling technology underpinning many different application areas.

Examples addressed by CAPPA include advanced imaging, microscopy & spectroscopy, where a suite of powerful spectroscopy and microscopy techniques covering a wide wavelength range (including FTIR, Raman, UV/Vis) provide detailed information on process flows, product assessment and development, chemical composition, ingredient distribution, device dynamics and general material analysis.

Photonics can be used to detect counterfeit products, aid root cause analysis, and investigate novel methods of imaging, among a variety of other applications 

Non-invasive sensing and detection  

Optical sensors can provide compact and non or minimally-invasive solutions for a wide range of sensing and imaging requirements. Using ‘fingerprint’ absorption wavelengths, specific gases or liquids etc can be targeted. Optical sensors have applications in medical devices, process monitoring and environmental sensing  

Optical design and modelling   

We use advanced simulation software such as Zemax to design efficient, compact and cost-effective optical systems, with 3D printing capabilities available for fast prototyping.  

Process monitoring 

We measure critical quality and performance attributes of raw and processed materials.  

Data analytics   

Analytic methods are used in routine spectroscopic analysis, which generates thousands of data pointes per sample. CAPPA can carry out a range of materials analysis that can reveal something new about your materials and processes. 

Liam Lewis,
CAPPA Gateway Manager

MTU CORK: Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Co. Cork

Phone: +353 (0)21 433 5338

Web: www.cappa.ie

X: @cappa_ie

LinkedIn: Centre for Advanced Photonics & Process Analysis (CAPPA)

“The research and data analysis carried out was incredibly valuable for our product development. The interaction with the group was very efficient and we were involved all the way. We would have no hesitation in recommending them as collaborators and look forward to working on more research projects with them. Working with CAPPA was one of the most beneficial things that we have done.”

Micheál McInerney & Ivan Wahlrab
Founders, StrongBó

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