Research and Innovation thrive on collaboration, and the CAMART2 project is a prime example of this principle in action. By bringing together the theoretical and experimental strengths of the RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), this decade-long initiative has paved the way for future scientific collaboration between Swedish and Latvian researchers.
Timothy Gibbon, a South African/Swedish researcher at RISE working on fiber optics, participated in the project for one year. We discussed his personal experience from the project and concluded that there are more profound aspects of collaboration than just bringing two research institutes together.
The primary focus of the CAMART2 project activities over the last year was to facilitate connections between scientists from RISE and ISSP UL, with the aim of establishing future research collaborations. This involved developing a regional culture that fostered collaboration and matched researchers’ expertise. The collaboration also focused on technical development to strengthen competitiveness.
Timothy praises the project manager, Teresita Qvarnström from RISE, for the project setup:
"The institutes are incrementally on the same level, but we have different skills and weaknesses. RISE encompasses numerous competence areas, and we are involved in various activities as an organization. The situation is similar for ISSP UL. The management had to be strategic and think about how to bring colleagues together from the institutes and how to overlap our areas of expertise to achieve the most impact. Finding people with matching competence and expertise was a very big job because of the many different units and people that were involved. Somehow Teresita managed to bring us together, bring out the best of both institutes and create something that is sustainable," he praises.
Uniting Strengths for High-Precision Techniques
During his year of involvement, Timothy coordinated research activities and promoted collaboration to develop tools for molecular analysis by combining the expertise of researchers at RISE and ISSP UL. A technique called SERS (Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) was used in combination with tailored optical fibers produced at RISE. SERS is an advanced technique used to study molecules by analyzing how they interact with light, allowing for more accurate identification of unknown or extremely low concentrations of substances.
"We can tailor capillary optical fibers at RISE that can collect tiny samples and enhance measurements. This is like a secret ingredient in this work. When you bring all this together, you get something really special and unique," he explains.
Timothy tells us more about the successful combination of skills brought to the project:
"I think ISSP UL is a very interesting institute because they have a lot of researchers that are very, very strong theoretically and have a strong fundamental physics or mathematical background. They also have some fantastic equipment and are very skilled in these types of experimental techniques. I think this is rare because when you look at research groups around the world, they are usually either strong theoretically or experimentally, but ISSP has both skills," he notes.
Successful collaboration paves the way for advanced applications
Despite the relatively short period of time for collaboration and technical challenges, the team made great progress. Timothy’s feelings about the work reveal the success of their collaboration:
It’s great to take the measurements and see that this is working. It was so cool for me to see those encouraging results and to meet the ISSP UL team. The wonderful thing is that we now have more time to make it happen. We have done some work together and now we know each other. The collaboration is not ending with this, and I would really like to work together with them on other projects in the future," Timothy shares.
This research paves the way for a variety of applications, including detecting very small amounts of pollutants in water or food, identifying drugs, and even detecting diseases and cancer cells within the body.
"In the future, we may be able to deliver a probe to be inserted in a polluted river. A tiny sample can then be shipped to ISSP UL for testing and diagnosis to very accurately determine what elements or contaminants are within that stream. With a similar technique, we may be able to detect diseases within a human being. For example, we have been working with other research institutes to detect pancreatic cancer, which is a very difficult type of cancer to diagnose or detect in an early stage," he explains.
Collaboration is Between People, Not Organizations
In today’s digital society, rushed working processes and limited possibilities to travel have made informal face-to-face meetings rare. While this approach may seem more efficient, the quality and effectiveness of these meetings are often compromised.
Timothy shares his personal experiences about his visit to Riga and the workshop he had meticulously planned at ISSP for the team:
"I had been so busy planning all the activities for the workshop. The scientists and colleagues I met were very warm and welcoming. We had a ’fika’ together, and at the time when we should have started the second activity, I saw everyone sitting together in little groups speaking to each other, maybe writing some notes on a serviette and discussing some research topics or coming up with new ideas. Some of the participants had been emailing each other for the last 5-6 months, but now, when they were sitting together, they were doing so much more in just 10 minutes. Then I suddenly realized that the agenda that I had been working on wasn’t really that important. It is much more important to just speak to each other. That’s where the real research starts and ideas are popping up. It was a very positive experience for me. I really like what Teresita has said about this: Collaboration is between people, not between organizations," Timothy reflects.
Key insights
Collaboration across borders between researchers and other professionals in the innovation ecosystem is crucial for addressing societal needs. We simply don’t have all the best resources in one place. In most projects involving international partners, participants rarely have the opportunity to visit each other. CAMART2 was an important reminder of the value of these visits are for Timothy.
"I think it’s important in other projects too, to at least have the opportunity to visit someone’s lab and meet them in person, getting to know their culture and a bit about them. For me, that’s always been important. But seeing the success of CAMART2 reinforces how critical that can be," he emphasizes.
Timothy broadened his experience as a researcher during the project:
"I’ve grown as a scientist in this new technical area by combining the strengths of our two institutes. However, I believe this is common across all projects in today’s world; you don’t just work in one area, you need to operate in a broader domain," he says.
Next steps
ISSP UL and the University of Latvia also had some PhD students working on the topic. Some of them enjoyed a visit to RISE during the project. The transfer of knowledge is an important asset for future research and further development opportunities in this field.
"There is human capital being developed, and I like the idea that out of the involvement of students, someone is going to get a PhD, and this will actually be their area of expertise. This work isn’t going to end with a report," Timothy points out.
In the coming year, the team of researchers will apply for funding together, possibly for further development in biomedical and food security.
"We have been developing this new technique and doing fundamental measurements, laying the groundwork, and preparing a publication to show that the technique itself works well. In the coming year, we plan to apply for funding to develop our applications," Timothy reveals.
"If we are able to maintain this collaboration, we will be able to identify more overlaps, areas of resonance, and possible combinations of resources, and effectively adapt to changes in various topics and research areas. We need to keep up the momentum and keep working together. We should add more partners to continue the work we’ve already started," Timothy adds.
The CAMART2 project highlights the power of personal connections in science. By combining the unique strengths of RISE and ISSP UL, this collaboration not only pushed the boundaries of high-precision techniques but also created a vibrant culture of innovation and teamwork that will last.
Glossary
Fiber Optics: Thin strands of glass or plastic fibers that transfer data as light pulses through. This technology enables high-speed, long-distance communication with minimal signal loss.
Capillary Optical Fibers: Special optical fibers with a hollow core that guide light through air or gas instead of solid glass. This design can collect tiny samples for analysis, reduces light loss, and allows for unique applications in sensing and communications.
Nanoparticles: Extremely small particles that have unique properties due to their small size. One nanoparticle is around 1000 times smaller than a human hair. They are used in various fields, including medicine, electronics, and materials science, to enhance performance and develop new technologies.
SERS (Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy): A powerful technique used to detect and analyze very small amounts of substances. SERS is used in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and medicine to identify and study substances at very low concentrations.
Raman Scattering: Normally, when light hits a molecule, most of it scatters without changing its energy. However, a tiny fraction of the light changes energy, providing information about the molecule’s structure. This is called Raman scattering.
Enhancement: In SERS, molecules are placed on a rough metal surface or nanoparticles. These surfaces amplify the Raman signal by millions of times, enabling the detection of even single molecules.
Molecular Analysis: The study of molecules, such as DNA, proteins, and chemicals, to understand their structure, function, and interactions. It’s used in fields like biology and medicine to diagnose diseases and develop treatments.
Biomedical: The application of biological and medical principles to develop technologies and treatments that improve human health. It combines knowledge from biology, medicine, and engineering to solve healthcare problems. One example is the development of artificial organs, like a bioengineered heart. Scientists apply knowledge from biology to understand how the heart functions, from medicine to address health issues, and from engineering to develop a functional artificial heart that can be implanted in patients, thereby improving their quality of life and survival rates.
Fika: A Swedish tradition of taking a break to enjoy coffee and snacks, often with colleagues or friends.
Human Capital: The skills, knowledge, and experience possessed by individuals, considered valuable for economic and social development.
CAMART2: A collaborative project between RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and ISSP Institute of Solid State Physics to strengthen the innovation climate in the Baltic Sea Region and promote scientific collaboration between Swedish and Latvian researchers.
RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden): Sweden’s research institute and innovation partner. Through international collaboration with industry, academia, and the public sector, we ensure business competitiveness and contribute to a sustainable society. Sweden’s research institute and innovation partner. Through international collaboration with industry, academia, and the public sector, we ensure business competitiveness and contribute to a sustainable society.
ISSP UL (Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia): Latvian research institute with an internationally recognized leadership in materials science and cross-disciplinary topics, conducting competitive research, educating students and offering innovative solutions for industrial needs.
