The PRG3112 project at the University of Tartu’s Chair of Analytical Chemistry continues to gain momentum as the team works toward developing a portable, automated laser sampling probe for the study of cultural heritage materials.
During the first six months, the group’s activities have been a mix of lively scientific discussion with collaborators and hands-on experimentation and testing.
In March, the group had a discussion with Dr G. Asher Newsome from the Smithsonian Institution (USA) on sample transfer and the development of the transfer line. Dr Newsome – who has contributed to the development of multiple analytical instruments for cultural heritage research – shared valuable insights from his previous work and inspired several new ideas for improving the transfer line design for the laser sampling probe.
We have also welcomed several new team members, further strengthening the team’s expertise.
In June, the project’s newest member, Andres Uueni (who joined in February 2026), visited the group’s testing lab at the University of Tartu, Institute of Chemistry, for the first time. Andres, who works at Archaeovision and the Estonian Academy of Arts and (Tallinn, Estonia) is an expert in multispectral imaging. His expertise brings an important new dimension to the project, particularly in the development and optimisation of visualisation and spatial analysis capabilities for the laser sampling probe.
Throughout this period, our PhD student Rady Jazmin Remigio (working in the group since September 2025), has been actively evaluating the performance of the laser sampling probe. Through systematic experiments, Rady is investigating how the system performs under different conditions and on various materials, helping to define its capabilities and identify areas for further improvement.
Overall, the project’s first months have been marked by strong collaboration and the integration of new expertise, laying a solid foundation for the continued development of the laser sampling probe.
