Improved photonic sensor technology for a fast and comprehensive quality analysis in life sciences
Photonic procedures are particularly suitable for the analysis of food, beverages, biotechnological products and biological substances as they can describe their quality fast and comprehensively (chemistry and morphology). Spectrometers in the wave length range from ultraviolett to the far infrared have already moved into practice in industrial applications like Industry 4.0 where they offer multiple findings with regard to product composition and product quality by inline procedure. For a timely quality analysis of food and beverages which serves as evidence of ingredients and contaminants in the beverage and food production as well as in potable water the presence and absence of wanted and undesired substances and pollutions has to be evaluated. For biotechnological processes, however, as in the food production photonic procedures with higher selectivites like the Raman-spectroscopy are necessary.  But the current Raman-spectrometers are still too unprofitable and often insufficiently sensitive as the signal can’t be evaluated due to the occurring fluorescence. The Raman-effect is not that intensive and therefore often requires rather long measuring times in practice. Therefore more sensitive and more exact spectrometer or sensor systems are necessary..

New time-resolved Raman spectroscopy sensor for industrial process analysis technology (PAT)
The main objective is the realisation of a new ‚time-resolved Raman spectroscopy sensor with an automated, self-cleaning process interface‘ for the industrial process analysis technology (PAT). The planned joint project wants to close the present market gap and develop and demonstrate a Raman-/fluorescence sensor that combines further technologies like chemometry, process analysis and chip-based platforms with regard to a high efficiency and selectivity. Thus the framework for an application in the food, beverage and biotechnological market can be fulfilled, with the main focus lying on the applications of the non-invasive inline analysis in sometimes hugely scattering media like milk and bio products, juices and beer.
The above described issue offers an intensive exchange with the end users in these markets. This innovative approach going well beyond the state-of-the-art is based on the integrative use of current developments in the fields of micro-electronic mechanical systems (MEMS), new methods of detection (Enhanced Backscattered Raman Scattering – EBRS) and detector technology (Single-Photon-Counting) in combination with methods in the field of chemometry and process analysis.
The exploitation of the results of this joint project will be carried out by the participating components and software producers (BON, SENSO) as well as by the plant manufacturers (KHS) and the system integrators (KROHNE, BON).
It must be assumed that the need for optical process sensors and process solutions in the process industry (pharmaceutical, BioTech, R & D, chemistry) will strongly increase over the next years resulting in a market volume of appr. 1-2 billion euros.