Measuring Atmospheric Gases
INESC Porto?s Optoelectronics and Electronic System Unit (Porto, Portugal) in partnership with the European Space Agency, has developed a technology that enables a more effective measurement of gases in the atmosphere than that achieved with current techniques (such as atmospheric balloons and specially equipped airplanes).
INESC Porto’s Optoelectronics and Electronic System Unit (Porto, Portugal) in partnership with the European Space Agency, has developed a technology that enables a more effective measurement of gases in the atmosphere than that achieved with current techniques (such as atmospheric balloons and specially equipped airplanes). The system consists of an ultra-narrow spectral tunable and heat-reflecting filter based on optical fiber technology that can be used to monitor the atmosphere with the reflection of laser impulses. If it is applied to satellites, this filter will be able to detect pollutant gases in the Earth’s atmosphere in concentrations less than 1 km high and 50 km wide, at an altitude of 400 km. This technology is capable of providing precise measurements of several greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.
AI and Satellite Spectroscopy Team Up to Monitor Urban River Pollution in China
April 30th 2025A study from Chinese researchers demonstrates how combining satellite imagery, land use data, and machine learning can improve pollution monitoring in fast-changing urban rivers. The study focuses on non-optically active pollutants in the Weihe River Basin and showcases promising results for remote, data-driven water quality assessments.
New Optical Modeling Method Advances Thin Film Analysis Using Spectroscopic Ellipsometry
April 30th 2025Researchers at Zhejiang University have developed an advanced optical modeling approach using spectroscopic ellipsometry, significantly enhancing the non-destructive analysis of amorphous silicon oxide thin films.
