OASYS - Optoelectronic sensors for application-oriented systems for life sciences and intelligent manufacturing

In close cooperation with non-university research and development partners from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the Leibniz Association and the Carl-Thiem-Klinikum Cottbus, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg has built up expertise in the field of application-oriented microsensor solutions as part of the Electronics and Microsensor Technology Innovation Campus (iCampµs). Regional companies have shown a strong interest in extending the potential applications of such technologies to areas such as industrial manufacturing, smart production, agriculture and animal husbandry as well as medicine and healthcare.

Photonic and, in particular, optoelectronic sensors form the backbone of future sensory high technology. With a variety of non-contact characterization methods, they contribute significantly to technical competitiveness in the fields of industry, medicine and robotics. The project is based on the recommendations of the “Growth, Structural Change and Employment” commission for the reorientation of the Lusatian region. Through the strategic integration of regional companies and the training of specialists with regional ties, the project creates the basis for direct and indirect jobs in the high-tech sector. In the long term, the aim is to transfer the developed results into practice through company spin-offs.

The topics addressed include:

• Industry 4.0
• Agriculture 4.0
• Smart Health

The newly launched research consortium “Optoelectronic sensors for application-oriented systems for life sciences and intelligent manufacturing” (OASYS) will translate the identified needs for innovative optosensory systems into transfer and exploitation-oriented research. The project focuses on two thematic clusters:

1. MEMS-based hyperspectral imaging: Research into novel sensory materials and components lays the foundation for innovative applications in the fields of industrial manufacturing, modern agricultural production, process technology and medical diagnostics.
2. High-resolution optical processes for the life sciences: This cluster addresses future requirements in the fields of biology, biotechnology, medicine, medical technology and health sciences.

Work is currently underway on a demonstrator for an intelligent hyperspectral camera, with Fraunhofer IPMS playing a key role in its development. The result is a compact near-infrared spectrometer that uses AI to display and evaluate the results in a user-friendly way. Areas of application include food and textile analysis as well as non-invasive diagnostics. Other medical analysis methods in the project include spectroscope-free Raman sensor technology, which can also characterize biological tissue in a non-destructive manner and thus make pathogens, cancer cells or other (cell) structures recognizable; or the use of so-called CMUTS (capacitive micromechanical ultrasound sensors), with which blood vessel, cancer and organic diagnoses can be carried out quickly and easily.

Gentle analysis and diagnosis options are also provided by the use of spatial light modulators (SLMs), which control the direction of light, illuminating samples under the microscope in a controlled manner and thus minimizing any phototoxic effects. Furthermore, these “SLMs” make it possible to correct the light distortion caused by various molecules in living tissue and thus produce clearer images.