Profile (CV) of the research teaching staff

Pina Iritia, María Pilar
Department: Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnologías del Medio Ambiente
Field: Ingeniería Química
Faculty: Facultad de Ciencias

Research Institute: INSTITUTO DE NANOCIENCIA Y MATERIALES DE ARAGÓN (INMA)
Group: T57_23R: Películas y Partículas Nanoestructuradas (NFP: Nanostructured Films and Particles)

UNESCO codes
  • Tecnología de la catálisis
  • Separación química
  • Control de la contaminación atmosférica

Number of 6-year periods of research productivity evaluation
  • Sexenio CNEAI. 01/01/25
  • Sexenio CNEAI. 01/01/19
  • Sexenio de transferencia. 01/01/19
  • Sexenio CNEAI. 01/01/13
  • Sexenio CNEAI. 01/01/08. (2)
Academic position: Cated. Universidad

Academic position
  • Vicerrectora de Política Científica
Email:
ORCID number: 0000-0001-9897-6527

Go to ORCID page

 
             
My research work focuses on the development of microdevices for the molecular recognition of traces: pre-concentration, orthogonal detection and identification using SERS Spectroscopy (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy). This line arises from the need to create multi-sensor platforms that are not only sensitive, robust, fast and low cost, but also highly selective, capable of discriminating the analyte of interest in complex mixtures.

Since 2008, my efforts have focused on the detection and identification in the gas phase of volatile organic compounds, industrial toxins, explosives and chemical warfare agents at concentration levels ranging from hundreds of ppmV to trace values ¿¿(sub-ppbV). The strategies have been articulated around three main axes:

1. Electronic nose approach where we combine the combinatorial selectivity of a set of microcantilevers-type mass sensors with integrated heating functionalized with different nanoporous solids with specific adsorption properties.
2. Preconcentration of the target analyte, in a stage prior to detection, by means of a preconcentrator microdevice that incorporates nanoporous adsorbents.
3. SERS spectroscopy for in-situ detection and identification of the analyte thanks to obtaining its vibrational Raman fingerprint.

For any of them, the synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials and nanostructures with composition, size and shape control, as well as the use of micro and nanofabrication technologies are key and necessary elements to achieve molecular recognition at the interface.

With regard to research in the field of security and defense, this not only addresses the detection and identification of nerve agents, but also the potential decontamination of the affected areas through adsorption and hydrolysis through porous surfaces that incorporate MOF-type materials.

Currently, I am exploring the potential application of SERS technology to new fields such as: i) detection of bio-aerosols and airborne particles; ii) pesticides and pharmaceutical wastewater; iii) food control and product quality; and iv) early diagnosis of diseases in exhaled air.

In parallel, I am: i) reorienting micro and nanofabrication processes towards more sustainable routes based on 3D printing and soft lithography technologies; ii) incorporating non-noble plasmonic materials (Al, Cu); iii) and opening the study to materials such as perovskites, polyoxometalates and carbon nanostructures, which contribute to amplifying the SERS effect by chemical mechanism.

In the medium-long term, my goal is to develop a standard low-cost manufacturing process for a microfluidic SERS chip, as well as the SERS measurement methodology with portable Raman equipment to be able to undertake proofs of concept in field conditions.


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