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iSPEX®

Pioneering smartphone spectropolarimeter for environmental monitoring. From Nature magazine's air quality breakthrough to validated water quality measurements.

Environment Citizen Science EU Registered Trademark Research Validated

Current Status & Availability

Water quality validation complete at Plymouth Marine Lab. We are not currently accepting individual unit orders. With limited production capacity and proven technology, we are prioritizing strategic partnerships and investment opportunities.

12+ Years of Innovation

2012-2013: iSPEX launched as one of the world's first large-scale citizen science projects, featured in Nature magazine. Thousands of citizens measured air quality across Europe.

2014-2020: Technology refined through multiple iterations. SPEX methodology deployed on NASA's PACE satellite mission.

2024-2025: iSPEX2 achieves validated remote reflectance (Rrs) measurements for water quality, matching equipment costing tens of thousands of euros.

A proven platform with real IP, institutional partnerships, and over a decade of field validation.

Partnership Formalized

Leiden University, DDQ Pocket Science, and Plymouth Marine Laboratory have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing each institution's contribution to iSPEX development.

MoU signing with Professors Simis and Snik

Professors Simis and Snik and Norbert Schmidt at the MoU signing.

Validation Complete at Plymouth Marine Laboratory

70% of smartphone spectra successfully converted to Rrs, with performance benchmarked against SoRad instrumentation.

View OSF Repository

Remote Reflectance (Rrs) Breakthrough

iSPEX2 achieves the holy grail of above-water measurements: accurate remote reflectance (Rrs) comparable to equipment costing tens of thousands of euros. This breakthrough was validated by Dr. Tom Jordan and Prof. Stefan Simis in 2024.

iSPEX2 remote reflectance validation showing excellent correlation with HyperSAS professional equipment

Scientific Validation: iSPEX2 Rrs measurements (colored lines) closely match professional HyperSAS equipment (grey lines) across multiple wavelengths.

What is Remote Reflectance (Rrs)?

Remote reflectance (Rrs) is the "gold standard" measurement in water quality science. It reveals what's in the water - algae, sediment, pollution. Until now, measuring Rrs required expensive equipment costing tens of thousands of euros. iSPEX2 achieves the same accuracy for under €200.

Dual-Capability Platform

Air Quality & Aerosols

Proven since 2013

  • Aerosol optical depth measurements
  • Particulate matter characterization
  • Large-scale citizen science campaigns
  • Satellite validation (PACE mission)

Water Quality & Ocean Color

Validated 2024

  • Remote reflectance (Rrs) measurements
  • Algae and phytoplankton detection
  • Turbidity and sediment monitoring
  • Satellite ground-truthing

Introduction Video

Current Research Users

  • Leiden University - Atmospheric and water quality studies
  • University of Georgia - Environmental monitoring research
  • Plymouth Marine Laboratory - Water quality validation
  • University of Sorbonne (Plankton Planet) - Marine ecosystem monitoring
  • University of Stirling - Environmental sensing research
  • University of Maine - Marine ecosystem monitoring
  • LandSeaLot Consortium - Ocean color validation studies

Investment Opportunities

Proven Technology, Ready to Scale

iSPEX represents a unique opportunity: validated technology with 12+ years of field testing, EU registered trademarks, and institutional partnerships.

  • 30 units available from current production run
  • Active demand from research institutions worldwide
  • Proven dual-capability platform (air + water)
  • Protected intellectual property

We are seeking investment and strategic partnerships to scale production and accelerate software development.

Contact for Partnership Inquiries

Frequently Asked Questions

What configurations are offered?

Research kits include a calibrated smartphone, professional grey cards, carrying case, calibration lamp, and detailed methodology manual.

Which smartphones can run iSPEX?

Most recent Android and iPhone models are compatible. iOS 13+ and Android phones supporting Camera2 (Raw imaging) are supported.

Who's behind iSPEX?

The team includes Norbert Schmidt and Joep van der Heiden (DDQ Pocket Science), working closely with Stefan Simis and Tom Jordan (Plymouth Marine Lab), and Frans Snik and Olivier Burggraaff (Leiden University).

Publications

iSPEX name, logo, and design are registered through the Benelux Patent Office (BOIP). EU registered trademarks.