Application of non-contact Raman and Terahertz spectroscopy to assess the microplastic contamination in India and Australia

Project description

Microplastics (MPs), identified as the biggest anthropogenically mediated threat to the biosphere as per recent UNEP report, is becoming a critical menace to sense and control to ensure the future of our food security, health, and ecosystems. Optical schemes, especially Raman spectroscopy, have shown promise in rapidly sense these tiny plastic particles (classified as less than 5 mm in diameter) in various components of biosphere, such as, water, soil, etc. We plan to assess the degree and distribution of this contaminant systematically and objectively with high precision using non-contact, non-invasive THz-Raman spectroscopic and imaging techniques, We propose to employ these spectroscopic techniques initially on synthetic lab-grade microplastics of various types to establish the reference library and to understand the limit of detectability and suitability of using a certain spectroscopic technique towards targeting a specific MPs type. Subsequently, this in-house MPs database of Raman and THz spectral response will be compared to the response of the water/soil samples taken from various parts of India and Australia to map out the degree of contamination. This project will, therefore, include field work as well as laboratory experimental studies and data analyses for sensing MPs in water/soil etc. The project will use an in-house developed ULF Raman scheme as well as turn-key time-domain THz broadband CW-THz spectroscopy and imaging system at IIT Delhi. To explore the samples with higher CW THz power, THz-LFI system based on THz quantum cascade lasers will be used for high-speed imaging. Appropriate data analyses, including machine learning algorithm will be performed to interpret the obtained experimental results.

Outcomes

Environmentalists and policy makers who are tasked with the understanding of recent deterioration in our ecosystem brought upon by MPs will benefit by the findings of this proposed study. Additionally, the field of optical metrology will progress towards solving real-world issues by the implementation pathways developed using these fast, non-contact and sensitive spectroscopic techniques to study various types of MPs. There is potential for significant economic and societal impact through the translation of these technologies to industry, the licensing for manufacture by Indian and Australian industries, and through the creation and growth of THz and optical sensing companies. The proposed research will give rise to publications in leading scholarly journals in the fields of photonics and terahertz engineering including Optics Express, Applied Physics Letters, Spectrochimica Acta (part A) and IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology. We also anticipate communicating our research outcomes at premier international conferences in the field. Additionally, we will promote open access to our research findings, and plan to communicate research results both within and beyond the academic community.

Essential capabilities

Excellent knowledge of coding, Excellent written and verbal English Communication Skills, knowledge of basic optics and spectroscopy techniques

Desireable capabilities

Prior experience in Optical experiments and handling of photonics equipment and components

Expected qualifications (Course/Degrees etc.)

BEng (BTech), MSc (MEng, MS) or MTech in Physics, EE, Material Science or allied disciplines