Photonic Sensors for the Marine Environment

This project will develop new sensors for the detection of chemicals in the ocean, with an initial focus on CO2 and CH4. Sensors will be designed, fabricated and tested in collaboration with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), and Imperial College, with the ultimate aim to monitoring the unique spectral absorption fingerprints of the different chemicals and map their concentration across large oceanic areas to understand their equilibrium with the atmosphere. The project will be based at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), where fs laser writing facilities are based, and field tests and preliminary experiments will be performed at the NOC world-class facilities, where sensors will be integrated in submarines and gliders at the Marine Autonomous Robotics centre.