Doctoral defence: Indrek Saar “Development of novel on-site chemical analysis tests – from alternative materials and technologies to functional prototypes“

On 27 August at 14:15 Indrek Saar will defend his doctoral thesis “Development of novel on-site chemical analysis tests – from alternative materials and technologies to functional prototypes“.

Supervisors:
Research Fellow Hanno Evard, PhD, University of Tartu
Prof. Ivo Leito, PhD, University of Tartu

Opponent:
Prof. Nicole Pamme, PhD, Stockholm University (Sweden)

Summary:
What if advanced chemical testing could be done anywhere — right where the need arises, without a laboratory? Traditional chemical analyses often require complex equipment, trained personnel, and significant time, creating a need for faster, more accessible solutions. In this thesis, new on-site chemical analysis tests were developed that not only simplify testing but also aim to achieve higher analytical performance than the existing portable methods. These tests were developed using a novel screen-printed particle-based method that is fast, low-cost, and potentially scalable for mass production. This approach enables better control over the base material quality and properties (e.g., thickness, surface functionality). Moreover, common laboratory-based techniques, such as chromatography (for better selectivity) and solid-phase extraction (to improve sensitivity), were fully integrated into the prototypes — a significant step toward bringing advanced analytical capabilities directly to the point of need. The functional prototypes were compact, easy to use, and capable of delivering reliable results. Their applications included monitoring biotin levels in urine and detecting different metal cations in various water samples, even in challenging agricultural nutrient solutions containing strong chelating agents. By combining alternative materials, smart design, and advanced techniques, these on-site tests push the boundaries of portable chemical analysis — laying the foundation for highly capable, mass-producible diagnostic tools that can enable faster, more accurate decision-making in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and agriculture.