BCARS
Industry: Raman spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a powerful technique that uses light to identify chemicals based on their unique molecular vibrations. It is highly specific and doesn't require any labels, making it perfect for various applications like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and semiconductors.
A new method, called broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (BCARS), offers a significant improvement. It is 1,000 times faster than traditional RS and provides intrinsically calibrated spectra, and this project out of Georgia Tech aims to commercialize BCARS technology.
The primary market for BCARS is Raman spectroscopy, where increased speed is the main driver. The RS market is worth $1.5 billion, but its potential is limited by the long time it takes to collect data.The new technology is expected to capture a significant portion of the high-end market and create new applications. The pharmaceutical industry, in particular, has shown interest in using BCARS to develop new products.
BCARS could also disrupt the fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) markets, which are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. However, this depends on establishing robust spectroscopic fingerprints to replace current fluorescent probes.
The market sectors for BCARS include industrial and university research, industrial product characterization, and clinical applications. In research, BCARS can replace some of the functions of fluorescence microscopy. In the pharmaceutical industry, BCARS can help map chemical components and their interactions in complex products.
