Mid-TECH · Project

Infrared Sensors That Detect Cancer and Gas Leaks With Record-Low Noise

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Every molecule has a unique "fingerprint" in infrared light — like a barcode only special cameras can read. The problem was we didn't have good enough flashlights or cameras working in that part of the spectrum. Mid-TECH brought together 14 European partners to build both: powerful new laser light sources and ultra-sensitive detectors that convert invisible infrared signals into visible light your existing camera can see. The result is equipment that can spot cancer tissue during surgery or detect tiny gas leaks from across a field.

By the numbers

consortium partners across academia and industry

countries represented in the consortium

industry partners directly involved in development

early-stage researchers trained as cross-sector mid-IR experts

demonstrated prototype systems delivered

total deliverables produced

50%

industry ratio in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Most complex molecules — in food, tissue, or industrial gases — can only be reliably identified by their infrared "fingerprints," but until recently the instruments to read those fingerprints were too weak, too noisy, or too expensive for practical use. Companies building medical diagnostic tools, gas leak detectors, or emissions monitors have been stuck with either imprecise methods or prohibitively expensive cooled detector systems.

The solution

What was built

The project built 10 demonstrated prototype systems: quantum cascade lasers for medical imaging (5-12 µm) and gas detection (3-6 µm), optical parametric oscillators for broadband and pulsed spectroscopy (1.5-4.5 µm), and continuous-wave upconversion detectors covering wavelengths up to 25 µm. These combine new light sources with a detection method that converts invisible infrared into visible light readable by standard cameras.

Audience

Who needs this

Medical imaging companies developing intraoperative cancer detection toolsIndustrial gas detection equipment manufacturersEnvironmental monitoring firms tracking greenhouse gas emissionsLaser and photonics companies seeking mid-IR source technologyCombustion analysis instrument makers for automotive or energy sectors

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Medical Devices & Diagnostics

mid-size

Target: Companies building surgical imaging or tissue analysis instruments

If you are a medical device company struggling with imprecise tissue identification during cancer surgery — this project developed a hyperspectral imaging system covering the 5-12 µm range that maps chemical composition of tissue in real time. Combined with quantum cascade lasers built specifically for medical use, it lets surgeons distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue without waiting for lab results. The consortium included 7 industry partners who co-developed these instruments.

Industrial Gas Detection & Safety

any

Target: Companies providing leak detection or emissions monitoring equipment

If you are a gas detection company needing to measure trace concentrations of specific gases — this project built quantum cascade lasers in the 3-6 µm range paired with DIAL spectroscopy systems for remote gas sensing. These tools can detect greenhouse gases and chemical leaks at small concentrations from a distance, replacing slow point-sensors. The 10 demonstrated prototype systems cover wavelengths from 1.5 µm to 25 µm.

Environmental Monitoring & Climate Tech

mid-size

Target: Companies monitoring greenhouse gas emissions or air quality

If you are an environmental monitoring firm that needs to verify emissions from industrial sites — this project created continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators for gas sensing and long-wave infrared upconversion detectors covering up to 25 µm. These allow remote sensing of greenhouse gases at concentrations too low for conventional instruments. The system was designed for DIAL (differential absorption) spectroscopy, the standard method for atmospheric gas measurement.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or acquire this technology?

The project was a training network (MSCA-ITN-ETN) across 14 partners in 6 countries, so IP is likely distributed among multiple institutions. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated with individual partners — DTU (coordinator) in Denmark and the 7 industry partners. No commercial pricing has been published.

Can these systems work at industrial scale and speed?

The project delivered 10 demonstrated prototype systems including continuous-wave lasers and imaging setups. However, as a training-focused network, the priority was research capability rather than production-ready hardware. Moving from lab prototypes to ruggedized industrial instruments would require further engineering.

Who owns the intellectual property?

IP is distributed across the 14-partner consortium spanning 6 countries (DE, DK, ES, IE, SE, UK). The coordinator is Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. With 7 industry partners already in the consortium, some IP may already be under commercial development by those firms.

What wavelength ranges are actually covered?

Based on the deliverables, the systems cover 1.5-4.5 µm (OPO sources), 3-6 µm (gas QCL), 5-12 µm (medical QCL and hyperspectral imaging), and 10-25 µm (long-wave QCL and upconversion). This spans nearly the entire mid-infrared window relevant for molecular fingerprinting.

How does this compare to existing infrared detection?

The key advance is upconversion detection — converting mid-IR signals to visible light so they can be read by standard silicon cameras instead of expensive cooled IR detectors. The project claims record low-noise performance. This could significantly reduce the cost of mid-IR sensing systems.

Is this ready to integrate into existing equipment?

The 10 demo deliverables are laboratory setups, not plug-and-play modules. Each combines a specific laser source with a detection system tuned for a use case (medical imaging, gas DIAL, broadband spectroscopy). Integration into commercial products would require engineering partnership with the relevant consortium members.

What is the regulatory pathway for the medical applications?

The hyperspectral imaging system for cancer diagnostics would require medical device certification (EU MDR). Based on available project data, no regulatory submissions were part of the project scope. Clinical validation and certification would be a separate effort post-project.

Consortium

Who built it

The Mid-TECH consortium is unusually industry-heavy for a training network, with 7 out of 14 partners (50%) coming from industry. Spread across 6 countries (Germany, Denmark, Spain, Ireland, Sweden, UK), it combines 5 universities and 2 research organizations with the industrial partners, including 2 SMEs. For a business looking to access this technology, the high industry participation means several partners already understand commercial requirements and may have continued developing these systems after the project ended in 2018. The coordinator, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, is one of Europe's leading technical universities with strong industry transfer capabilities.

DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITETCoordinator · DK
THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETERparticipant · UK
LUNDS UNIVERSITETparticipant · SE
FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUESparticipant · ES
FORSCHUNGSVERBUND BERLIN EVparticipant · DE
NKT PHOTONICS A/Sparticipant · DK
EAGLEYARD PHOTONICS GMBHpartner · DE
HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAET ZU BERLINparticipant · DE
TOPSOE ASpartner · DK
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELANDpartner · IE

How to reach the team

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU), Denmark — use SciTransfer outreach tools to find the PI contact

Order a report on this consortium See DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

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