Unveiled at CES 2025 by deeptech startup ABLATOM, ABLASCAN is set to transform material analysis with its groundbreaking laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technology. Designed for both researchers and industry professionals, this AI-assisted microscope offers unparalleled speed and precision in identifying atomic compositions—making the invisible, visible.
How Does It Work? Harnessing the Power of LIBS Technology
LIBS technology, the cornerstone of ABLASCAN, is an optical analysis method that reveals the chemical composition of materials in milliseconds. A focused laser pulse generates a plasma from a microscopic sample, whose optical emissions are analyzed to identify and quantify elements. ABLASCANTM integrates this process into a single, seamless operation with significant competitive advantages such as instantaneous chemical composition analysis.
ABLASCAN is capable of analyzing all elements on the periodic table, including lightweight ones like lithium. Its applications span geosciences, nuclear safety, battery research, and recycling, offering solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges.
Traditionally requiring expertise in physics or chemistry, LIBS technology is now democratized with ABLASCAN’s user-friendly, plug-and-play design. There’s no need to be a chemist, physicist, or data processing expert. This innovation enables anyone to perform complex chemical analyses quickly and reliably.
Speed and Automation
Time-consuming analysis is now a thing of the past. Enhanced by AI, this innovation significantly accelerates and automates the chemical analysis of materials at the microscopic level. Indeed, ABLASCAN operates 10 to 100 times faster than conventional equipment. It delivers 1 million chemical measurements in just 15 minutes—compared to 3 to 15 hours with traditional methods. This speed allows for rapid surface scanning (up to 200 cm²) while maintaining micrometric resolution under standard conditions.
The system’s advanced AI algorithms automatically identify chemical elements with unmatched precision. It can even detect previously invisible traces. In just minutes, any operator can obtain a qualitative and quantitative analysis report, including optical images and detailed chemical maps of the material.
This automated process reduces operational costs and eliminates the need for extensive human expertise, making high-end analysis both affordable and efficient.
Industrials Applications
ABLASCAN’s capabilities cater to diverse fields:
Geosciences: It enhances resource extraction by identifying elements like copper and lithium in rocks, critical for advancing renewable energy and technology industries.
Nuclear Safety: It can detect early signs of metal degradation in nuclear facilities, ensuring long-term safety and preventing catastrophic failures.
Recycling: The scanner streamlines the certification of recycled materials, providing accurate analyses in minutes. This precision is vital for securing the value of recycled materials and fostering a circular economy.
Battery Research: It maps lithium distribution and aging in batteries, offering insights that could lead to longer-lasting and more efficient energy storage solutions.
ABLASCAN also accelerates the development of new materials, such as thin films for microelectronics or next-generation batteries. Its ability to explore unknown chemical properties fosters innovation in renewable energy and sustainable manufacturing.
Technical Specifications
- Analysis speed: > 1000 Hz
- Lateral spatial resolution: > 8 μm
- Detection range: 0.1 ppm to 100% in a few milliseconds
- Multi-scale: 10 μm² to > 200 cm²
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 160 x 60 x 190 cm
- Weight: 200 kg
