On the 27th of August, Indrek Saar successfully defended his great innovation-based dissertation „Development of novel on-site chemical analysis tests – from alternative materials and technologies to functional prototypes”.

With his opponent Prof. Nicole Pamme, who is focused on Lab-on-a-Chip devices, they gave a memorable and enjoyable PhD defence at the Institute of Chemistry. Prof. Nicole Pamme holds a chair in Analytical Chemistry at Stockholm University. During the defence, her excellent general science-to-market questions, as well as detailed questions specific to chemistry and material science, helped the audience to gain a clear understanding of the need for research, practical applications and how everything was also achievable from a technological perspective.

Indrek’s dissertation has given valuable new insights into the simple to use on-site chemical analysis tests.

What if advanced chemical testing could be done anywhere – right where the need arises, without a laboratory?

Traditional high-quality chemical analyses often require complex equipment, trained personnel, and significant time, creating a need for faster, more accessible solutions. In Indrek`s thesis, new on-site chemical analysis tests were developed that not only simplify testing but also aim to achieve higher analytical performance than 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.

The applications of functional prototypes included monitoring biotin levels in urine and measuring different metal cations in various water samples, even in challenging agricultural nutrient solutions containing strong chelating agents.

These patented innovations are laying the foundation for highly capable, mass-producible diagnostic tools that can enable faster, more accurate decision-making in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and agriculture.

During his PhD studies and research, Indrek was supervised by Dr Hanno Evard and by Prof. Ivo Leito. Indrek’s special thanks go to the main supervisor, Dr Hanno Evard, who had been a constant source of guidance, encouragement, and support. From countless discussions and brainstorming sessions to planning and problem-solving, Hanno’s insight and commitment had been central to this work.