Physiolas
Listening to molecules: miniaturized photoacoustic sensors for non-invasive biomarker monitoring
What it is
These new-generation photoacoustic sensors combine laser sources emitting in the mid-infrared range with a photoacoustic cell and integrated microphones. Molecules of interest absorb the light emitted by the laser sources in a unique way, generating acoustic waves that can be used to measure molecule trace concentrations. This exclusive CEA-Leti technology can be miniaturized to the extreme and is compatible with volume manufacturing. It opens the door to selective real-time monitoring of biomarkers, including glucose, and of certain gases in the environment.
| What it can do
This technology and the associated silicon CMOS and MEMS low-cost volume manufacturing processes address several markets:
- Sports, health, nutrition, and wellness: real-time monitoring of multiple biomarkers with a connected, non-invasive wearable device
- Medical: real-time glucose monitoring with a non-invasive wearable device that has already been clinically tested
- Environment, industrial process control, and quality control: gas emissions monitoring with a connected stand-alone device
- Safety: screening for toxic substances to comply with future transportation-industry standards
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What makes it unique
This mid-infrared spectroscopy technique is still little-used outside
of laboratory environments at the state of the art due to the cost and size
of the equipment. CEA-Leti’s innovative concept promises to remove the barriers that have prevented the wider-spread use of current solutions.
CEA-Leti brings years of research and development spanning the miniaturization and integration of photonic components on silicon, advanced software, digital twins, and machine learning to this innovation.
- Mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers and photoacoustic cells manufactured using CMOS and MEMS technology, respectively, guaranteeing rapid transfer to a commercial fab for volume markets
- Compatible with volume manufacturing at a cost of $1 per CMOS laser (or less in some cases) and less than $10 per sensor
Working with CEA-Leti
This technology is ready to be developed and industrialized for partners. Companies of all types and sizes can work with CEA-Leti on projects across the entire value chain through single-partner R&D contracts or multi-partner affiliate programs. CEA-Leti’s mission is to bring this breakthrough technology to the market as quickly as possible, enabling new capabilities for next-generation products. And, with CEA-Leti’s “lab-to-fab” model, each project is supported until the technology is ready for transfer. Finally, CEA-Leti brings a “compliant by design” approach to developments for medical devices. The institute’s knowledge of the regulatory environment ensures that end products are ready for commercialization.