MiCRA Equipment & Capabilities

MiCRA’s laboratories are equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced analytical instruments supporting rapid sensing, diagnostics, materials analysis, environmental testing, bio‑processing, and agri‑food innovation. Below is an overview of each key instrument, what it does, and how it supports industry across multiple sectors. 

We are very fortunate to have the following equipment funded through Enterprise Ireland's Capital Equipment Calls. 

Autolab Multichannel Potentiostat 

This system enables multi‑channel electrochemical measurements for evaluating chemical reactions, coatings, biosensors, and electrically active materials. It is essential for developing, characterising, and optimising electronic sensing technologies.
Applications: 

• Electrochemical biosensor development (diagnostics, veterinary, food safety)
• Corrosion and coating performance analysis (materials, sustainability)
• Redox and metabolite monitoring in bioprocesses (bio & pharma)

PerkinElmer TGA‑IR‑GC/MS Suite 

A fully integrated thermal, infrared, and mass‑spectrometry system that identifies decomposition behaviour, volatile compounds, and breakdown pathways. It provides deep insight into material stability, contamination, and formulation performance.
Applications: 

• Detecting contaminants or breakdown compounds in environmental samples
• Thermal profiling of polymers and food ingredients
• Stability and impurity analysis in pharmaceutical materials

Dionex ICS‑6000 Ion Chromatography System 

A high‑performance ion chromatograph designed to detect ionic species in liquid samples with exceptional sensitivity. Ideal for monitoring water, food, and process chemistry.
Applications: 

• Water‑quality testing for environmental compliance
• Measuring additives and minerals in food and dairy
• Tracking process ions in fermentation and biopharma workflows

Synergy H1 Multiplate Reader

A versatile microplate reader supporting absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence assays for biochemical, microbial, and diagnostic applications. It enables high‑throughput screening and quantitative analysis.
Applications: 

• ELISA and immunoassay development (human & animal diagnostics)
• Enzyme, protein, and DNA quantification (bio & pharma)
• Microbial activity and shelf‑life studies (agri‑food)

Biodot Automated Diagnostic Unit

An automated system for developing and printing lateral‑flow and diagnostic strip‑based assays. It accelerates prototype creation for rapid test technologies.
Applications: 

• Prototype development for allergy, pathogen, and biomarker tests
• Rapid on‑farm animal health test fabrication
• Point‑of‑care assay optimisation (clinical diagnostics)

SEM Phenom XL – Scanning Electron Microscope 

A benchtop SEM that provides high‑resolution imaging of surfaces, particles, and materials for structural and morphological analysis. It supports problem‑solving, failure analysis, and material characterisation.
Applications:

• Identifying contamination or defects in food, pharma, or environmental samples
• Characterising nanoparticles, coatings, and polymers (materials research)
• Examining biological structures in diagnostics and microbiology

Bruker MPA II Near‑Infrared Spectroscopy 

A rapid‑analysis NIR spectrometer for compositional and quality assessment of liquids, powders, and solids. It enables non‑destructive, real‑time quantification of key components.
Applications:

• Food and dairy composition (moisture, fat, protein)
• Agricultural product quality assessment
• Raw material verification in pharma and bioprocessing

Bruker Alpha II FTIR

A compact FTIR system providing detailed chemical signatures for identification, verification, and quality control. It is widely used across chemical, food, and material applications.
Applications: 

• Identifying contaminants or adulterants in food and environmental samples
• Raw‑material verification for pharma and manufacturing
• Polymer, plastic, and formulation assessment (materials)

Bruker MultiRAM FT‑Raman 

A high‑performance Raman spectrometer offering molecular and structural analysis for complex samples. It complements FTIR for robust compound identification.
Applications:

• Pharmaceutical compound verification
• Polymer and biopolymer characterisation
• Ingredient and contaminant analysis in food and beverages

CytoFlex S Flow Cytometer 

A sensitive, three‑colour flow cytometer used for quantifying cells, microorganisms, and biomarker‑expressing populations. It delivers rapid, high‑accuracy biological profiling.
Applications:

• Microbial enumeration and viability analysis (environmental, food, water)
• Immunophenotyping for diagnostic and pharma research
• Rapid screening of microbial cultures in fermentation and bioconversion

Working in all MiCRA Themes

Each instrument contributes to one or more of MiCRA’s six strategic areas:

• Agri‑Food Technologies – compositional analysis, microbial testing, contaminant detection
• Diagnostics & Device Research – immunoassays, biosensors, rapid test prototyping
• Sustainability & Environmental Testing – pollutant detection, water quality, materials impact
• Bio & Pharma Technologies – cell profiling, raw‑material verification, stability testing
• Analytical Science Services – method development, chemical identification, quantitative analysis
• Advanced Materials Research – imaging, spectroscopy, thermal profiling, electrochemical testing