B-PHOT researchers present at Optica Sensing and Imaging Congress 2024 in Toulouse

Optica's Sensing and Imaging Congresses brought together experts in the field of optical science to Toulouse, including four B-PHOT researchers. Prof. Heidi Ottevaere, Prof. Lien Smeesters, Dr. Tatevik Chalyan, and PhD researcher Maria Lopera represented B-PHOT through their interesting presentations and active participation in panel discussions.

The Optica Sensing Congress presents the latest optical-based sensor advances and their applications. The Optica Imaging Congress provides a comprehensive view of the latest developments in imaging and applied optical sciences.

Prof. Heidi Ottevaere delivered a tutorial presentation on disease and pathogen detection in the 'Disease Detection and Diagnostics' session which was presided over by Dr. Tatevik Chalyan. Prof. Ottevaere herself also presided over the 'Applied Industrial Photonics' session on 'Agriphotonics, Food and Water Safety', in which Prof. Lien Smeesters was invited to present the latest advancements in diffuse reflection spectroscopy and machine learning for food inspection.

Optica Ambassador Dr. Tatevik Chalyan shared her research on non-invasive spectroscopic techniques in combination with machine learning algorithms during an invited talk in the 'Applied Industrial Spectroscopy' session on 'Enabling Technologies'. Her project, funded by PhotonHub Europe, aims to monitor the reusability of oak barrels in the wine industry for highly efficient wine ageing purposes.

Maria Lopera: Characterization of Common Plastic Microspheres Through Holographic Mueller Matrix Imaging

This study presents the measurement of Mueller matrices from a polarimetric in-line holographic setup to characterize microspheres of common plastics. Results demonstrate distinctive polarimetric signatures, offering a deterministic tool for automated microplastic detection and insightful parameters for further analysis.

Tatevik Chalyan: Spectroscopy Combined With Machine Learning to Study Oak Barrels Reusability in Wine Industry

To monitor the reusability of oak barrels in the wine industry for highly efficient wine aging purposes, various non-invasive spectroscopic techniques are studied in combination with machine learning algorithms.

Lien Smeesters: Towards a non-Destructive and Sensitive Food Quality Inspection Using Broadband Diffuse Reflection Spectroscopy and Machine Learning

Diffuse reflection spectroscopy (400nm–1700nm) offers a non-destructive and accurate food quality and safety evaluation. Optimal results are achieved after co-optimization of the spectroscopic measurement procedure and machine learning analysis, showing classification performances exceeding 92%.

Heidi Ottevaere: Disease Detection and Diagnostics (Tutorial talk)

During the conference, we explore the world of integrated miniaturized photonics-enhanced microfluidic chips. Our technology platform spans the entire micro-photonics spectrum, from optical design to measurement, prototyping, replication, and proof-of-concept demonstration. We have developed versatile units that easily adapt for sensing various molecules across different wavelengths. These efforts pave the way for multifunctional, low-cost, portable, robust, and ultimately disposable lab-on-a-chip systems. These systems find practical applications in both field settings and point-of-care diagnostics within life sciences and medicine.