R03 / Digital Image Colorimetry and responsive materials

Chemical & Gas Sensing

We develop materials-based sensing with Digital Image Colorimetry (DIC) as a central methodological focus. Our work connects colour responses, smartphone imaging, and quantitative analysis for liquid-phase analytes, alongside materials for gas detection. Target systems include metal ions, glucose, and other chemical analytes.

People in this direction

Muhamad Diki PermanaSenior Researcher M. Rizky Dhiva NoviansyahUndergraduate student

The questions behind the materials.

Chemical sensing translates an interaction with a target analyte into measurable information. In this direction, Digital Image Colorimetry (DIC) is a central focus of method development: a colour response is captured as a digital image and analysed to relate image-derived signals to analyte concentration.

Our liquid-phase studies include gold nanoparticles for Cu²⁺ detection, Cu-Phen metal–organic frameworks for ascorbic acid sensing, and smartphone-based determination of methylene blue. Group-leader coauthored work also demonstrates non-enzymatic glucose detection using gold nanoparticles. Together, these systems show that our sensing interests extend beyond gases to analytes in solution.

We investigate the relationship between sensing chemistry, image acquisition, signal extraction, and quantitative performance. Calibration, illumination, image-processing conditions, selectivity, and sample-matrix effects are important considerations when comparing DIC with an appropriate reference method. The contribution of each study lies in its particular material, target, and analytical workflow.

Gas sensing is a complementary branch involving gas-responsive materials, including published HA-LSCF work on CO₂ detection. The response mechanism depends on the system; DIC is not assumed to apply to every gas sensor. Our broader objective is to connect material design with reliable chemical detection and accessible quantitative readout.

Research question

How can material-dependent responses and controlled digital imaging enable selective and quantitative chemical detection?

Our objective: Develop DIC workflows for liquid-phase analytes. Relate sensing chemistry and imaging conditions to calibration, selectivity, and repeatability. Investigate gas-responsive materials using the readout appropriate to each system.

Approaches in this direction

Digital Image Colorimetry (DIC)Smartphone imaging & signal analysisColorimetric sensing in liquidsGas-responsive materials

Materials & systems

Gold nanoparticles for colorimetric sensingCu-Phen metal–organic frameworksLiquid-phase analyte systemsHydroxyapatite–lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (HA-LSCF)Smartphone-based image acquisition