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.

Expertise

New photonics devices

Medtech & pharmaceuticals

Food & beverages

Manufacturing technologies

Devices & Sensors

CAPPA applies photonics solutions to industry in a wide range of sectors, including medical devices and technologies, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food & beverage technologies and electronics 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 – a suite of powerful spectroscopy and microscopy techniques covering a wide wavelength range (including FTIR, Raman, UV/Vis) providing detailed information on chemical composition, active ingredient distribution, optical device dynamics, etc. It can be used to monitor processes, detect counterfeit products, aid root cause analysis, and investigate novel materials.

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 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.

CAPPA at Cork

“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 ore research projects with them. Working with CAPPA was one of the most beneficial things that we have done..”

Micheál McInerney & Ivan Wahlrab
Founders, StrongBó