Value Proposition
SOLAS is a high‑throughput mid‑infrared (MIR) spectroscopy platform that simultaneously quantifies up to 12 key soil parameters from a single sample. Using Ireland’s largest MIR soil spectral library and an automated spectral control‑chart system, SOLAS significantly reduces per‑sample time and cost while delivering prediction confidence validated on > 10,000 spectra. Solas technology is routinely applied at Teagasc and is optimised for laboratories and agritech teams that need streamlined, scalable soil analytics with repeatable, auditable results.
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
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.
Advantages
- 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.