Measuring Atmospheric Gases
INESC Porto?s Optoelectronics and Electronic System Unit (Porto, Portugal) in partnership with the European Space Agency, has developed a technology that enables a more effective measurement of gases in the atmosphere than that achieved with current techniques (such as atmospheric balloons and specially equipped airplanes).
INESC Porto’s Optoelectronics and Electronic System Unit (Porto, Portugal) in partnership with the European Space Agency, has developed a technology that enables a more effective measurement of gases in the atmosphere than that achieved with current techniques (such as atmospheric balloons and specially equipped airplanes). The system consists of an ultra-narrow spectral tunable and heat-reflecting filter based on optical fiber technology that can be used to monitor the atmosphere with the reflection of laser impulses. If it is applied to satellites, this filter will be able to detect pollutant gases in the Earth’s atmosphere in concentrations less than 1 km high and 50 km wide, at an altitude of 400 km. This technology is capable of providing precise measurements of several greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.
Best of the Week: AI and IoT for Pollution Monitoring, High Speed Laser MS
April 25th 2025Top articles published this week include a preview of our upcoming content series for National Space Day, a news story about air quality monitoring, and an announcement from Metrohm about their new Midwest office.
LIBS Illuminates the Hidden Health Risks of Indoor Welding and Soldering
April 23rd 2025A new dual-spectroscopy approach reveals real-time pollution threats in indoor workspaces. Chinese researchers have pioneered the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and aerosol mass spectrometry to uncover and monitor harmful heavy metal and dust emissions from soldering and welding in real-time. These complementary tools offer a fast, accurate means to evaluate air quality threats in industrial and indoor environments—where people spend most of their time.
