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Earlier this month, RADICAL, in collaboration with AtmoTrace, hosted a two-day symposium on ‘Innovative Measurement Techniques for Trace Gases and Radicals’ at University College Cork (UCC). Held on 9-10 January 2025, the event brought together a diverse group of 50 academics and industry experts from across Europe. Participants explored cutting-edge technologies aimed at improving the detection and measurement of hard-to-identify trace gases and atmospheric radicals.

The EU-funded RADICAL project, part of the Horizon 2020 EIC Pathfinder program and in UCC School of Chemistry, focuses on developing low-cost sensors for atmospheric radicals to advance air quality monitoring. On the other hand, the Research Ireland-funded AtmoTrace project, from the UCC School of Physics, is working on creating ultra-sensitive optical detection instruments for various applications in trace gas sensing. This symposium marked the culmination of RADICAL and emphasised a multidisciplinary approach to trace gas sensing challenges.

AtmoTrace Principal Investigator Prof Andy Ruth (left) and RADICAL coordinator Prof Justin D. Holmes (right) and providing an overview of each of the projects as an introduction to the Symposium.

Engaging sessions and key highlights

The event included six thematic sessions featuring 23 talks, including 5 PhD student presentations. Speakers covered innovative topics ranging from the development of compact, low-cost detectors to recent advancements in photonics and spectroscopy for improved sensitivity and accuracy. Paul Wills, a PhD student from the School of Physics, UCC and the Environmental Research Institute (ERI), was awarded with the award for Best Student Presentation. His talk, titled “A New Cavity Ring-Down Instrument for Airborne Monitoring of N₂O₅, NO₃, NO₂, and O₃ in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere,” showcased his innovative work within the IAGOS_CARIBIC project.

PhD student Paul Wills (left) being awarded the Best Student Presentation by Prof John Wenger (right)

A roundtable discussion facilitated by Prof. John Wenger (UCC) and RADICAL project manager Dr Tamela Maciel (UCC Academy) served as the symposium’s concluding session, focusing on the future of trace gas and radical detection. The discussion offered an interactive platform for attendees to share ideas and discuss potential avenues for further research and collaboration.

Round table discussions in progress at the RADICAL symposium on innovative techniques on trace gas and radical sensing

Round table discussions in progress

As ideas flowed freely, artist Philip Barrett from Blackshapes captured these discussions in a live illustration, creating a visual representation of the innovative concepts that emerged.

(Left) Illustration from the ideas and themes that emerged in the round table discussions. (Right) Philip Barrett working on the illustration

Illustration from Philip Barrett (Blackshapes) at the RADICAL symposium.

The final digital version of the illustration. Click to download a high-resolution version

Participants also had the opportunity to tour UCC’s new Irish Atmospheric Simulation Chamber, a state-of-the-art facility designed for investigating atmospheric processes and testing advanced measurement techniques. The chamber, part of the ACTRIS network, opens its doors to researchers worldwide, offering a valuable resource for atmospheric studies.

(Left) Prof John Wenger (UCC) showing the Irish Atmospheric Simulation Chamber. (Right) Group getting ready for the lab tour

Read also: The Irish Air Simulation Chamber (IASC) | Advancing Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Action

Participant reflections

Feedback from attendees highlighted the symposium’s success in fostering an engaging and inclusive environment. Participants appreciated the well-structured program, which balanced formal presentations with time for networking and discussions. The interdisciplinary approach and variety of topics covered were commended for broadening perspectives and fostering collaboration.

Attendees sharing their thoughts over the live illustration by Philip Barrett (Blackshapes) after the round table discussions at the RADICAL Symposium

Attendees sharing their thoughts over the live illustration

Presentations were described as innovative, relevant, and engaging, with attendees noting the high quality of both the content and the speakers. The interactive roundtable discussions and informal networking opportunities were also well-received, adding depth to the exchange of ideas.

Participants at the round table discussion

A light moment amidst brainstorming during the round table discussions

“Really interesting event with a great mix of disciplines all focused on gas sensing. The sessions were enjoyable with plenty of time between sessions and during the roundtables to mingle and share ideas.”

“The event was very well organised, covering a wide range of topics. It was brilliant to have innovative discussions with researchers from around the world and the environment created was interesting and full of support. This was an excellent conference.”

“I really enjoyed the overall experience: excellent organization, high-quality talks with well scheduled order, friendly atmosphere, inspiring conversations, trustable environment that facilitated open communication. And more!”

RADICAL External Advisor Prof Mattew Johnson (DevLabs) sharing his thoughts at the round table discussions

RADICAL External Advisor Prof Matthew Johnson (DevLabs) sharing his thoughts

A milestone and a beginning

The symposium marked the culmination of the RADICAL project, which has successfully developed a low-cost electronic sensor for detecting atmospheric radicals and trace gases. RADICAL’s outcomes, along with ongoing efforts through AtmoTrace, set the stage for further advancements in air quality monitoring and trace gas sensing.

Members of the RADICAL team at the symposium: From left to right: Victor Chechik (University of York), Justin D. Holmes (University College Cork), Abhisweta Bhattacharjee (UCC Academy), Subhajit Biswas (University College Cork), Vaishali Vardhan (University College Cork), Naeem Iqbal (University of York), John Wenger (university College Cork), Matthew Jonhson (DevLabs), Tamela Maciel (UCC Academy), Stig Hellebust (University College Cork)

This event was not only a reflection of the achievements of these research projects but also a testament to the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex scientific challenges. The success of the symposium underscores the value of creating spaces where experts from different fields can come together to exchange ideas, share insights, and build connections that drive innovation forward.

You may be interested in: 4th and Final RADICAL Newsletter – November 2024

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