Click on the images below to read short interviews with our RAVEN team members to learn more about their role in the project and their thoughts on novel sensing technologies, European collaborative projects, and more.
Meet RAVEN Researchers
What is your role within the project, and how does it contribute to the development of the sensors?
My role is to test the developed sensor when it is ready for that. More precisely, test how the sensor performs in terms of accuracy, precision and stability expectations.
Tell us a bit more about the organisation/company you work at.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute observes and researches the atmosphere, from the ground/sea level to the near space. I am working in the Greenhouse Gases research group, where we study greenhouse gas concentrations and their exchange between the atmosphere and different ecosystems.
In your opinion, what sets the RAVEN project apart from other air quality monitoring initiatives?
Commercially available environmental sensors are often built by private companies exploiting scientific research. Now, we have here a broad set of people from different backgrounds and talents, from optical researchers via companies to sensor end-users.
What do you expect to achieve from participating in RAVEN?
I have never “seen” inside a gas sensor in such detail. How the development starts form light sources and detectors level and what kind of expertise will be needed before the first working individual sensor is ready.
What kind of real-world applications or industries do you think will benefit the most from RAVEN technology?
I can see a broad group of end users for Ravem sensors. Less expensive sensors are needed in developing countries especially, but they also make it possible to have observations with low thresholds anywhere. Light sensors, in addition, are in demand, for example, in wearable technology (personal exposure monitoring) and remote sensing (drones and other UAVs).
What do you think the main economic, societal, or environmental benefits of the project will be?
If monitoring of greenhouse gases and gas phase pollution were less expensive and more reliable, the effects would be impressive. A more accurate understanding of climate change and the state of the environment would help speed up decision-making and target actions to the most efficient ones.
What advice would you give to young researchers who want to work on environmental monitoring technologies?
A broad background in natural sciences and biology helps to understand very complex processes. And if you expect to achieve fast solutions, forget it—long-term work is the way to success.
What do you think EU collaborative research projects have to offer?
EU funding enables large consortiums, where wide expertise makes it possible to develop something fundamentally different and new.
What is your role within the project, and how does it contribute to the development of the sensors?
I am an R&D engineer in the IoNext team at Teem Photonics, and in this project, we will provide the optical assembly and packaging of the straight and spiral waveguides with the VIS-SWIR sensor. Teem will also implement the fluidic functions.
Tell us a bit more about the organisation/company you work at.
Teem Photonics manufactures custom photonic integrated circuits (PICs) based on its reliable, versatile and cost-effective ioNext platform and provides innovative solutions for integrated photonic packaging.
In your opinion, what sets the RAVEN project apart from other air quality monitoring initiatives?
The advantages of the RAVEN sensors compared to the other air sensors will be portability (low weight and size), low power consumption, and the ability to measure multiple gases across a broad wavelength range with high sensitivity and selectivity at a low cost. No other system will be able to combine all these features into the same single product.
What do you expect to achieve from participating in RAVEN?
The sensor chips will be added to Teem’s portfolio to demonstrate our expertise and strengthen our position in the photonics market. On the other hand, our participation in RAVEN will contribute to the development of relationships with academic research institutions.
What kind of real-world applications or industries do you think will benefit the most from RAVEN technology?
The technology that will be developed in this project will expand the application domain beyond environmental gas sensing to markets like gas sensor integration in smart home appliances.
What do you think the main economic, societal, or environmental benefits of the project will be?
The new components that will be developed by RAVEN, such as miniaturized light sources, photonic sensors and quantum-inspired on-chip data processing, will help reduce Europe’s reliance on imported sensing systems. In addition, these sensors will contribute to cleaner air, better health outcomes, better industrial performance and a more sustainable future.
What advice would you give to young researchers who want to work on environmental monitoring technologies?
Young researchers working on environmental monitoring technologies have a unique opportunity to contribute to solving critical global challenges. By building technical expertise, collaborating across disciplines, staying engaged with policy and industry, and focusing on real-world impact, they can play a significant role in advancing sustainable solutions for environmental protection.
What do you think EU collaborative research projects have to offer?
EU collaborative research projects offer a rich ecosystem of opportunities for innovation, knowledge exchange, and cross-border cooperation. They not only advance science and technology, but also address pressing societal and environmental challenges, influence policy, and contribute to economic growth. For researchers, industry players, and policymakers, these projects provide a unique platform to engage in impactful, future-oriented research that benefits the entire European community and beyond.
What is your role within the project, and how does it contribute to the development of the sensors?
My position at Vigo Photonics is Expert Epitaxy Engineer, specialising in MOCVD growth of compound semiconductor heterostructures. As Project Tech Lead at Vigo Photonics, I will be responsible for the development of the photodetector from bandgap engineering to ensuring that the chip is properly integrated into the system.
Tell us a bit more about the organisation/company you work at.
Vigo Photonics is a Polish company founded about 30 years ago by Professor Józef Piotrowski and his students from the Military University of Technology. We manufacture infrared photodetectors for various applications. We are unique in some of the technologies developed by our engineers, such as monolithic immersion lenses. Our speciality for many years has been medium and long wavelength photodetectors for high operating temperatures. In recent years, we have decided to move into manufacturing a wide range of photonic devices. We see the future of the company in photonic integrated circuits.
In your opinion, what sets the RAVEN project apart from other air quality monitoring initiatives?
Air monitoring based on photonic integrated circuits could be a scalable technology that could enable mass production of such a system. This would make it possible to monitor air quality in real-time in many places so that the source of harmful gases can be detected immediately. The miniaturisation of the air quality monitoring system will allow it to be used in places where it is impossible to monitor air quality.
What do you expect to achieve from participating in RAVEN?
I expect to learn about state-of-the-art sensors using photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that can revolutionise air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring. Being part of this project is very fulfilling because of its positive impact on the environment.
What kind of real-world applications or industries do you think will benefit the most from RAVEN technology?
Local pollution control authorities, offshore platforms, energy industry, pipeline leak detection, automotive, chemical industry, and agricultural operations, especially those involving livestock or fertiliser use.
What do you think the main economic, societal, or environmental benefits of the project will be?
Economic: Enabling more widespread use of monitoring solutions without the need for expensive equipment and infrastructure will reduce the cost of adopting green practices.
Social: Pubic health by improved air quality.
Environmental: Reduction of GHG, pollution detection.
What advice would you give to young researchers who want to work on environmental monitoring technologies?
Focus on learning and understanding rather than results and scores. Find a place where you can develop as a researcher and be patient, everyone can make a difference.
What do you think EU collaborative research projects have to offer?
Participation often includes access to world-class research infrastructure, including laboratories, technology platforms, and computational resources across Europe. EU collaborative projects focus on solving major societal and environmental problems. By working on a continental scale, these projects ensure that solutions are more robust, impactful and scalable.