The Nanophotonics and Optoelectronics group research spans various fields through innovative approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration, aiming to address pressing challenges and unlock new frontiers in domains which include:
Modelling and simulation (TL1, TL3): nonlinear dissipative systems (mode-locked lasers and Kerr resonators) that possess dissipative optical solitons; passive & active elements of photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
Photonic Analogues (TL1): fabrication of optical analogues of topological insulators using our fs IR facilities.
Energy (TL2): novel optical fibre sensors (OFS) for battery management. We have been focused on lithium-ion batteries, but we intend to expand to developing hybrid sensors for next-gen batteries like sodium-ion & solid-state batteries.
Biomedical (TL3, TL 4): modelling/implementation of biosensors in PICs, especially the ones using SPR; sensors for the vital sign monitoring with invisibles; physical rehabilitation; physiological signal acquisition; lab-on-fibre/chip solutions for point-of-care monitoring; and biofunctionalization techniques for enhanced sensitivity and selectivity.
Environmental Monitoring and Analytical Chemistry (TL1, TL3): OFS for environmental and organic compound measurement, with hybrid interferometric configurations, functionalization and chromatography; and chemometrics. The latter to analyse formation conditions and behavior of crucial aroma metabolites, including sotolon, during the aging process of Madeira wine.
Structural Health Monitoring (TL1, TL3): OFS for structural health monitoring in critical infrastructure and heritage sites, demonstrating their efficacy and reliability. Industrial Processes (TL1): real-time monitoring based on optical deflectometry for surface paint faults, enhancing efficiency/reliability in quality control; smoke detector based on light scattering (both with Bosch). The work devoted to each TL is not the same for all the topics, with high intensity in TL2 and TL4 and medium intensity in TL1 and TL3.