Project description
Extending 2D infrared spectroscopy to detecting volatile organic compounds
2D infrared spectroscopy is a powerful tool for studying molecular properties, structures and dynamics. Despite its potential, the method has not yet been used in trace-gas analysis owing to its insufficient sensitivity. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the GASIR project aims to build the world's first cavity-enhanced 2D infrared spectrometer with up to four orders of magnitude better sensitivity compared to the state of the art for detecting trace amounts of volatile organic compounds. Project work will have far-reaching implications in different areas, including breath analysis and explosives detection. It could also help probe ultrafast dynamics of optically dilute samples.
Objective
The goal of the fellowship is to build an ultrasensitive two-dimensional infrared spectrometer and apply it to detection of complex mixtures of trace amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Third-order spectroscopies using ultrashort pulses, such as 2D IR spectroscopy, are powerful tools for studying both structure and dynamics. They probe the evolution of state-to-state coherences between quantum states and evolution of state populations on femtosecond to nanosecond timescales, in between excitation by ultrashort optical pulses. In terms of molecular properties, 2D IR spectroscopy probes correlations between molecular bonds, which strongly depend on the structure of the molecule as a whole. Compared to linear spectroscopy, which is more bond-specific, 2D IR spectroscopy provides much greater selectivity. Compared to mass spectrometry methods, it is applicable to both small inorganic molecules and to VOCs and easily lends itself to quantitative analysis. 2D IR spectroscopy has not been used for trace-gas analysis up to now because of insufficient sensitivity. This project overcomes this problem by building first of its kind cavity-enhanced 2D IR spectrometer, with up to four orders of magnitude better sensitivity than the previous state of the art, and applying it to vibrational spectroscopy of VOCs. The potential for exploitation of the project outcomes includes breath analysis diagnostics, detection of explosives, narcotics and other trace-gas analysis problems. There are also many potential applications of the outcomes in basic science, in the field of ultrafast dynamics of optically dilute samples (e.g. cold molecular jets or sub monolayer films). Two notable examples include the problem of intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution and the dynamics of hydrogen bond networks. The expertise and unique skills gained during the outgoing phase will be used to establish a new research program in the host institution.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
87-100 TORUN
Poland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.