As with any other analytical technique, Raman devices must be calibrated to ensure data accuracy and reproducibility. Using standardised and agreed calibration protocols improves the assurance of measurements and the confidence level of any measurement done with the relevant device. For Raman, calibrations are divided into two main blocks, the one regarding the x-axis (wavelength calibration) and the y-axis calibration (intensity) are managed separately. There are two types of intensity correction for Raman devices: absolute intensity correction and relative intensity correction. The absolute intensity correction of Raman spectra is rare as it is extremely complicated to calculate, as many factors affect the values and require calibration of the device with a fully characterise irradiance source and the knowledge of sample cross-section of a given sample at the precise laser wavelength, used for irradiation. This makes complicated and limited use of absolute values. A compromise was found by the Raman community by using a relative intensity calibration of the y-axis. this approach provides a measurement of the instrument response based on an external known signal (e.g. a fluorescence irradiance), which is associated with a mathematical function. This function then serves to correct the sample spectrum to the true relative Raman intensity. This method was published and assumed by organisations like NIST that commercialised for many years, certified reference materials for this purpose. Unfortunately, the number of available samples, their accessibility and the individual cost make these reference materials of limited access by the Raman users and device manufacturers. ELODIZ has developed a technique based on LEDs that can provide the broad Raman community with a new source of reference materials for y-axis relative intensity correction that is accurate, reproducible, and easily accessible to the community, The association of ELODIZ with NPL supports the full characterisation, verification and validation of these light sources and its intended use as reference materials.

Bioreactors are broadly used in a wide variety of process, such as; foods and food ingredients, chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds. These bioreactors are monitored using a wide range of specific analytical techniques which often requires sampling, or they are just specific to a single parameter. This is a lengthy and time-consuming procedure to analyse the required factors to optimise the process. In some cases, the use of hazardous reagents is necessary to perform the analysis. The market is interested in on-line, simple to operate, sampling free, automatic analytical techniques, to monitor the performance of the process within the reactor in real time. Being able to use two laser wavelengths for Raman spectroscopy will allow easy and efficient tailoring of the chemometric modelling used to monitor the reactor on a broader range of reactions than using a single channel setup. The optimisation of the reactor use, associated with the correct dosage of nutrients will lead to higher product yield at lower input cost. ELODIZ, a company specialised on providing analytical solutions based on spectroscopy, is targeting to introduce a sensor based on Raman Spectroscopy for online monitoring of nutrients on bioreactors. This project's focus specifically on the quantification of nitrates and phosphates by a multichannel dual laser Raman device via a single probe. Monitoring the concentration of these key inorganic nutrients with the optimal Raman setup, their concentration can be optimised to maintain an optimum level for the desired product to be successfully formed. ELODIZ will work with Brunel university to create the necessary chemometric models that correlate spectral signature with reactor coefficients.