No more estimates, but actual measurements of gas emissions in, for example, livestock barns. Scientists from Trace Detection Laboratory at Radboud University are collaborating with partners in One Planet Research Centre to develop a new sensor technology using photonic chips to make this possible. Dr. Simona Cristescu, scientist with over 25 years of experience in laser-based gas sensing, is leading university’s participation in this project, which has recently been awarded a grant of more than 6 million euros.
At the end of 2025, it was announced that the province of Gelderland and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Quality and Nature had awarded a grant of 6,1 million euros to the From Light to Insight project. Scientists from Trace Detection Laboratory (TDLab) at Radboud University within the OnePlanet Research Centre partnership are participating in the development of a photonic chip-based sensor that can accurately measure gases such as ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide in barns. The photonic chips developed by imec will be tested and validated at the TDLab, then further developed into an innovative sensor for monitoring agricultural emissions. Field evaluation will take place at Wageningen University & Research’s test location.
The researchers expect that this technology will contribute to controlling nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands in the short term. "There is also a global need for a new technology, which allows you to more precisely monitor gas emissions in practice based on local measurements rather than estimates," says dr. Cristescu.
Reliable measurements with highly variable factors
Measuring these environmentally harmful (greenhouse) gases in livestock housing is important for animal welfare, employee safety and nature preservation. To meet standards and regulations, you need to know what the emissions actually are - as accurately as possible. Currently, emissions in livestock housing are still predominately based on estimates. The Dutch government is moving toward goal-oriented steering, where farmers are set targets and decide themselves how to achieve them, rather than being prescribed specific emission-reduction measures. While this approach builds on farmers’ craftsmanship, current monitoring technologies are not yet reliable enough across all livestock systems for use in permits, especially in dairy farming and for outdoor emissions where concentrations are very low. Specific conditions such as ventilation, humidity and temperature can cause gas emissions to vary widely and distribute unevenly in a barn. To tackle this, scientists and chip experts in this project are now working on a highly sensitive instrument that delivers reliable measurements even in such a challenging, variable environment.
A New Approach: Open-Path Spectroscopy Meets Photonic Chips
The Trace Detection Laboratory at Radboud University, led by Cristescu, has been developing technologies for measuring gases for many years. "For this, we use laser absorption spectroscopy - shining laser light through a gas and measuring how much is absorbed to determine its concentration. Our expertise lies in designing sensitive sensors, applying spectroscopic techniques, and analyzing the resulting data."
Dr. Cristescu and her colleagues use a variety of lasers, which interact with molecules in different ways. " We collaborate closely with laser manufacturers to ensure our technologies are practical, reliable, and effective in real-world applications", she explains. With imec - one of the partners in the OnePlanet Research Centre - developing photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that can integrate lasers directly on-chip, new possibilities are emerging. "We want to combine these lasers with what is known as open path infrared spectroscopy", dr. Cristescu continues. "This means that you don’t just measure at one point in a space but can take measurements along an open path. You measure the gas concentrations along that entire line, which gives you a better, more representative picture of the concentrations of different gases. "
A Roadmap Beyond Barns
PIC-based sensor technology can do more than current applications. According to dr. Cristescu, its main advantages include the ability to measure multiple gases with a single chip, deliver reliable measurements even under highly variable conditions, and achieve cost-effectiveness when produced on a larger scale.
For dr. Cristescu, "My role is not only to apply our expertise to these new photonic integrated circuits, but also to build a dedicated team that can take these innovations from the lab to the field, ensuring practical, scalable solutions."
"This project represents a unique combination of innovation, expertise, and practical impact", dr. Cristescu emphasizes. While barns are the first application, the technology is designed with a broader vision. "We’re contributing to the development of multi-gas, field-ready sensors that start with barns today, but are designed to serve a broader vision for environmental monitoring tomorrow. Our ambition is to facilitate innovative lasers and detection schemes beyond the lab, generating the real-world data needed to support better emission control and environmental management."
From estimates to measurements. From single points to spatial understanding. From lab instruments to field-ready sensors. It’s a transformation that begins in the barn - but won’t end there.
