The research involves:
designing and synthesizing exotic
transition metal complexes that have the
potential of acting as molecular probes,
rigorously measuring the fundamental
photophysics of these probes in the
presence and absence of the target
substrate(s), developing the material science required to immobilize the molecular probes, developing microlasers as excitation sources and miniature luminescence lifetime spectrometers to translate these signals to digital data, deploying these prototype devices in the field, analyzing the field data to explain the measured environmental processes.

Since the entire project is essentially
carried out by one team, all phases
interact seamlessly and maximize
its potential scientific, educational,
and societal value.