The iSPEX ® Smartphone Spectrometer and Polarimeter is a cost-effective and versatile solution for monitoring water and air quality, as well as engaging in a wide array of STEM activities and experiments.
Compatible with recent smartphones, the iSPEX device empowers users to collect and scrutinize data with precision and ease.
Ideal for citizen science initiatives, in-depth environmental studies, and even recreational exploration, iSPEX simplifies the data collection process without compromising on quality. Moreover, our state-of-the-art app and platform enable efficient data analysis and promote seamless sharing of results with relevant parties, enhancing the overall user experience. iSPEX is currently being validated with leading research groups.
Water quality:
Like air, water can also scatter and reflect light, which can cause the light to become polarized. By measuring the polarization of light that passes through water, spectropolarimetry can be used to detect the presence of certain particles or substances in the water, such as algae, bacteria, or pollution. This information can be used to monitor the quality of water in rivers, lakes, or oceans, and to identify sources of pollution. Spectro (polarimetry) is just one of many tools that can be used to study water quality, and it can be a valuable tool for scientists and policymakers who are working to protect the world's water resources.
iSPEX for education
You might find that the light from the sun is much different from the light from a streetlamp, or that the light from a candle is quite different from the light from a firefly. As you experiment, you'll start to understand the different properties of light and how it interacts.
Citizen Science with iSPEX
iSPEX (1) was used with over 10.000 citizens to generate a high precision map of air polllution. We have more than ten years experience in citizen science projects. iSPEX 2 will be suitable for large scale citizen science campaigns. Think of satellite validation or environmental monitoring.
Measuring water reflectance with iSPEX during the MONOCLE field campaign.
Relevant papers and articles:
Standardized spectral and radiometric calibration of consumer cameras. Burggraaff O. et al. Optics Express, Vol 27, Issue 14, 2019.
A universal smartphone add-on for portable spectroscopy and polarimetry: iSPEX 2. Burggraaff O. et al. Proc. SPIE 11389, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications XII, 2020.
Currently, some pre-production units are in stock (spectrometry). Contact us to obtain one. We are still in validation and testing phase with small groups of researchers worldwide.
Thanks to the EU projects, we were able to develop iSPEX and conduct valuable research with it. The support from the teams at Leiden University (Astronomy) and Bright Led Solutions (hardware) has been instrumental in allowing us to continue this development.
A universal smartphone add-on for portable spectroscopy and polarimetry: iSPEX 2
Olivier Burggraaff, Armand B. Perduijn, Robert F. van Hek, Norbert Schmidt, Christoph U. Keller, Frans Snik
