Sonia Marín Cortés (CSIC) on the strengths of Raman spectroscopy and her work in CHARISMA
For me, one of the main strengths of Raman spectroscopy, is also one of its least explored areas - its application in industrial problem-solving.
Sonia Marín Cortés (PhD)
Could you please tell us a bit about yourself?
I graduated in Chemistry from the University of Córdoba in 2019, and I hold a Master’s degree in Applied Chemistry to Molecules and Materials from the Autonomous University of Madrid, obtained in 2020. Currently, I am a chemical PhD fellow at the Ceramic and Glass Institute (CSIC), working within the Ceramic for Smart System group. My doctoral thesis activities are part of the EU project ICEBERG, where I focus on developing innovative solutions based on the circular economy for the valorisation of construction and demolition waste, particularly in the production of new high-content recycled waste ceramic tiles. Through this project, I have had the opportunity to contribute to knowledge transfer to the industry, scaling up several technologies to TRLs up to 8 in leading companies in the ceramic sector, and to participate as a co-author on 1 European and 2 national patents.
Could you describe your role in the CHARISMA project?
My role in the CHARISMA project has involved collaborating with my colleagues María Fernández-Álvarez , Julián Jiménez Reinosa, Alberto Moure, and José Francisco Fernández, in developing tools based on Raman spectroscopy for different needs in the ICEBERG project, that seeks the valorisation of construction and demolition wastes. This waste constitutes the most abundant type of waste in the EU by weight (Eurostats, 2021), yet its recycling rate remains low due to insufficient waste management policies and the technological challenges posed by its high heterogeneity. At the end of their useful life, buildings are often demolished, leading to uncontrolled dumping of materials in landfills, resulting in a diverse mix of materials that complicates subsequent recycling efforts. Our proposed solution is the valorisation of these materials through their classification via chemometric analysis using Raman spectroscopy, which has led to our recent publication in Resources, Conservation and Recycling journal (Marín-Cortés et al., 2023). This marks the first application of Raman spectroscopy for characterising, classifying, or identifying this type of waste. The success of this work stems from the synergy between the CHARISMA and ICEBERG projects, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and enabling the development of applied technology that is highly sought after in the sector.
Additionally, I have contributed to a European patent generated within the CHARISMA project by manufacturing and optimising a homogeneous, representative luminescent sample to standardise equipment based on this property.
What is it about Raman spectroscopy and Raman-related technologies that interests you the most?
For me, one of the main strengths of Raman spectroscopy, is also one of its least explored areas - its application in industrial problem-solving. As researchers, we are well aware of the advantages and various applications of this spectroscopy in both basic and applied sciences, thanks to its numerous benefits. These advantages include minimal sample preparation requirements, fast and non-destructive techniques, and the ability to gather high-resolution information from various materials of interest. However, despite these advantages, Raman spectroscopy remains underutilised in addressing industrial challenges, even in real-time or online scenarios, which is not common. One handicap that needs to be overcome technologically to truly realise the potential of this tool in an industrial setting, is the equipment harmonisation. The CHARISMA project stands out as a pioneer in tackling and illuminating this issue.
To learn more about Sonia’s work and to contact her, please explore her latest research via the following links. She is eagerly seeking new collaborations and exchange insights.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5345-7237
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-mar%C3%ADn-cort%C3%A9s-8973a8159/
X: https://twitter.com/SoniMarinCortes
Email: sonia.marin@icv.csic.es
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