Fraunhofer IIS: Innovative chip-size spectrometer for compact analysis
The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, headquartered in Erlangen, is one of the world's leading research institutes for microelectronic and information technology system solutions and services. It is the largest institute in the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and conducts cutting-edge international research in areas such as audio and media technologies and cognitive sensor technology. The institute develops, implements and optimizes processes, products and systems until they are ready for use and the market, thus offering comprehensive solutions for customers from industry and the public sector.
Fraunhofer Chip-Size Spectrometer: Miniaturized spectrometry for diverse applications
The Fraunhofer Chip-Size Spectrometer is at the center of a groundbreaking development in spectrometry. This innovative technology enables the production of a cost-effective and compact spectrometer that is integrated on a single chip. By using a novel filter technology directly in the CMOS manufacturing process, the spectrometer becomes robust and application flexible without compromising precision.
Versatile application possibilities: From agriculture to diagnostics
The miniaturization of the spectrometer opens up new areas of application. In agriculture, for example, it can be attached to tractors to precisely analyze plant requirements. Farmers can use fertilizers or pesticides in a targeted manner, thus saving costs and protecting the environment. The technology also shows great potential in biomedical diagnostics. Inexpensive point-of-care analyses could be carried out directly by patients at home, revolutionizing medical care.
State-of-the-art technologies: AI and filter design for precise results
The performance of the Fraunhofer chip-size spectrometer is based on intelligent filter design and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Differently filtered pixels on the chip capture spectral data, which is further processed by integrated preamplifiers and analog-to-digital converters. AI algorithms reconstruct the spectrum and deliver results that are comparable with expensive commercial spectrometers - at a fraction of the cost.
Focus on sustainability and cost efficiency
The spectrometer shows how technological innovations can contribute to sustainability. In agriculture, it reduces the use of chemicals and lowers operating costs at the same time. Pilot customers, for example in Brazil, are already using the technology on large areas to increase the efficiency and environmental friendliness of their processes. This solution not only offers ecological benefits, but also makes advanced spectrometry accessible to a broad target group. The Fraunhofer Chip-Size Spectrometer combines miniaturization, cost efficiency and versatility - a real milestone in modern spectrometry.
