Agriculture, Forestry, Food & Beverage

In-field early detection of crop afflictions

Early Detection of Wine Grape Afflictions using AGR's Spectre MINI and AI Automated Chemometrics

Detecting crop afflictions early, before they spread, saves farmers time and money by facilitating the targeted application of fungicides and fertilizers.  Supported by the National Science Foundation, AGR® integrated its C14384MA-01 Spectre® MINI into a custom handheld AI scanner that utilized NIR spectral fingerprinting to detect grape afflictions 5X earlier than the human eye and 5X more accurately than standard cameras while training models 1500X faster than imaging - All on the edge.

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On-plant fruit ripeness evaluation

Time-Resolved Quantification of Tomato Ripening

Monitoring daily ripening of tomatoes is crucial for optimizing harvest times and ensuring quality. The C11708MA and C12666MA spectrometers measured reflectance in the VIS-NIR to identify changes in chlorophyll, carotenoids, and lycopene. Their portability, accuracy, and wide spectral range make them ideal for this application.

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Medical & Pharmaceutical

Point-of-care for early disease detection

Mobile Phone Based Mini-Spectrometer for Rapid Screening of Skin Cancer

Screening for skin cancer is crucial for early detection and treatment. The C12880MA spectrometer was used to measure the reflection spectra of skin lesions and normal skin in the VIS-NIR, integrated with a dermatoscope and smartphone for successful real-time analysis. Its compact size, high resolution, and wireless capability made it ideal for rapid, non-invasive diagnostics.​

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Portable, compact fluorescence for biomarker detection

Portable Fluorimeter for the Detection of Cysteine in Human Urine

Detecting cysteine in human urine is vital for evaluating biological metabolism, preventing tissue/DNA damage caused by free radicals and diagnosing disorders like cystinuria and cancer. The C12666MA spectrometer was used in a portable fluorimeter that successfully detected cysteine concentrations down to 16.3 nM. Its high sensitivity, compact design, and rapid response time made it ideal for point-of-care diagnostics.

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Water Quality & Environmental Monitoring

On-site chemical runoff detection in lakes and streams

Portable Water Color Monitoring System for Phytoplankton Bloom Measurement

Monitoring phytoplankton blooms is crucial for managing water quality, especially in areas affect by agricultural runoff. The C10988MA-01 spectrometer was used to measure the VIS-NIR absorption spectra of water samples, successfully detecting chlorophyll concentrations indicative of blooms. Its small size, high spectral resolution, and portability made it ideal for accurate, on-site water analysis.​

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In-field solar spectroradiometry for photovoltaics and agriculture

Possible with AGR's proprietary onboard optical calibrations and radiometric measurements 

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Guides field design/layout decisions to forecast and optimize solar energy capture.

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Manufacturing & Recycling

In-line color measurement for paints, dyes, inks and coatings

Low-Cost Thickness Measurement System for Semiconductor Thin Film Coatings

Monitoring thin film thickness in semiconductor coatings is crucial for quality control. The C12880MA spectrometer performed VIS reflectometry on Si:SiO2 (silicon dioxide) samples, successfully determining coating thicknesses of 476.3 nm and 198.7 nm with high precision. Its compact size, high spectral resolution, and low-cost integration made it ideal for real-time, non-destructive thickness measurements in industrial settings.

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In-line petrochemical composition for the production and recycling of plastics, textiles, crude oil

High Temperature Fluorescence Probe for Oilfield Applications

Targeting reserves with favorable fluid properties is essential for increasing profitability for oil companies. The C12880MA spectrometer was used in a fluorescence probe to measure spectral emissions of crude oils at 405 nm excitation, successfully determining API gravity (a standard measure of density) and chemical composition. Its high sensitivity, compact design, and ability to operate under extreme conditions made it uniquely suited for this application.

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Lighting & Calibration

Ground truth illumination and reflectance measurements to calibrate hyperspectral images

Spectral Albedometer Deployed on Unmanned Aerial System for Evaluating Satellite Measured Surface Reflectance

Gathering ground-truth data to validate and calibrate satellite spectral measurements is critical for accurate modeling. The C12666MA spectrometer, mounted on a UAS, successfully measured incident and reflected solar radiation to determine albedo values in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. Its compact size, high spectral resolution, and ability to embed with other platforms made it ideal for precise albedo measurements and remote deployment. ​

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In-building lighting quality assessment for human, plant and machine vision color optimization

Color Evaluation of Images Acquired Using Micro Spectrometer Under Natural Lighting Conditions

Accurate color evaluation in agricultural images is essential for assessing produce quality. The C10988MA-01 spectrometer measured the VIS spectral radiance of natural and artificial lighting, successfully calibrating digital camera images of both standard color charts and tomato fruits. Its compact size, high sensitivity, and ability to be integrated with imaging systems made it ideal for precise color correction in varying lighting conditions.​