Soil Analysis Solution (SOLAS)
The Engage@Teagasc team invite expressions of interest for SOLAS: a high-throughput mid-IR platform delivering rapid, cost-effective, simultaneous quantification of twelve essential soil parameters.
Photo credit: Andrew Downes, XPOSURE
Technology – value proposition
- SOLAS is a high throughput, mid infrared (MIR) spectroscopy-based platform that delivers rapid, simultaneous quantification of up to 12 key soil parameters from a single sample.
- Using Ireland’s largest MIR soil spectral library and a unique spectral control chart system, SOLAS dramatically reduces analysis time and cost while improving prediction confidence.
- It enables industry and laboratories to move from multi assay, months-long workflows to fast, scalable soil testing.
Unique selling propositions
- High throughput capacity, measures 12 soil parameters in one procedure: % Total Organic Carbon, pH, Lime requirement, % Organic Matter, % Total Nitrogen, Cation Exchange Capacity, Base Saturation, % Total Carbon, % Sand, % Silt and % Clay.
- Significant cost-savings – replaces 8+ traditional assays.
- Greater accuracy than vis-NIR models, with enhanced confidence via the novel spectral control chart that pre-screens samples for compatibility.
- Continuously improving predictive models through systematic subsampling and validation.
- Aligns with EU Soil Monitoring Directive (EU2025/2360) requirements – predicts several mandated parameters.
Development stage
- Validated through large-scale datasets and scientific publications, with models developed from >10,000 soil spectra and multiple verified parameters.
- Already in use internally in Teagasc and supported by peer reviewed research.
Opportunity to engage
Opportunities include licensing, co-development, early adopter pilots, and validation partnerships. We welcome engagement from:
- Commercial soil testing laboratories seeking faster, lower cost analytics.
- Agri tech companies developing decision support tools or digital soil platforms.
- Environmental consultancies and national monitoring programmes responding to EU soil legislation.
- Technology providers exploring integration of SOLAS into automated or field portable systems.
Research funding
Supported by Geological Survey Ireland and Teagasc.
For further details, please contact engage [at] teagasc.ie or Sarah Cahalane: sarah.cahalane [at] teagasc.ie (Ref: SOLAS)
For more opportunities to engage with Teagasc, click on the link below.