The SpectraWizard’s Spectroscopy Application Challenge has officially begun!
It’s time to show the world what your light measurement application can do!
Science empowers us to explore, discover, and shape a brighter tomorrow—and now it’s your turn to shine! Show off your spectroscopy brilliance by submitting an abstract of your research along with a photo of your application. Want to stand out even more? Add a video or an artistic action shot of your spectroscopy in action! Email your entry to ContactUs@StellarNet.us
Compete with top scientists around the globe for a chance to win $5,000 in StellarNet Cash, which can be used toward purchasing StellarNet Spectrometer systems and light sources directly from our global sales and support office in Tampa, Florida. Choose from our popular preconfigured systems designed for measuring color, fluorescence, or UV-VIS absorption.
There is no age group limitation or restrictions to use StellarNet spectrometers. Whether you’re a curious kid or a seasoned scientist with published, peer-reviewed research, we invite you to participate. You don’t even need to own a StellarNet spectrometer — all brands are welcome!
Like all contests, the SpectraWizard does have some rules that you need to abide by.
Here are the Contest Guidelines at a Glance:
- Contestants of all ages are welcome to enter.
- Include an abstract + a photo (video/artistic action shot optional!), published links if applicable.
- Contestants consent to their entry being published on StellarNet.us and in our monthly email.
- Follow & like StellarNet on Linkedin to qualify.
- All submissions must be made to Contactus@StellarNet.us by September 4th, 2026.
- Be excellent to each other 😎
📣 The winner will be announced September 14th — just in time for our Back to School Special, featuring major discounts on educational and research-ready systems. 📣
💡 Share your light measurement story now. You just might have one of the most enlightening spectroscopy applications in the world!
Results from the 2025 SpectraWizard’s Spectroscopy Application Challenge
🌟 Congratulations to Emily Causi and the Carleton University Robotics Team, winners of the 2025 SpectraWizard Spectroscopy Application Challenge! Their custom-built 785 nm Raman spectrometer, integrated into the Planetary Extraction and Analysis Tool (PEAT), is helping advance planetary exploration by detecting molecular signatures that could indicate past or present life. Field-tested in Mars-like conditions, their innovative system showcases the power of spectroscopy in real-world astrobiology research.
Runner-Up: Dr. Luisa Cencha and her team developed hybrid photonic sensors that pair porous silicon with functional polymers to detect everything from glucose and arsenic to pharmaceutical residues and pathogens. Using a simple UV-Vis spectrometer, their technology enables portable, low-cost optical sensing for healthcare and environmental monitoring.
Third Place: The Grade 11 Engineering Contest at Maple Ridge Secondary, led by David Jamieson, gives students hands-on experience designing, building, and calibrating their own spectroscopes. Through engineering challenges and quantitative spectroscopy, students gain real-world skills in optical measurement and data analysis.
Click here to learn more about their fascinating work and how spectroscopy is shaping the future of discovery.
Compact Spectrometer Technologies
Choose from our popular preconfigured systems—perfect for measuring color, fluorescence, or UV-VIS absorption. Whether you’re working in a research lab, academic setting, or home-built setup, we have tools that fit your needs.
UV-VIS
190-1150nm
Near Infrared
900-2500nm
Raman
532, 785, 1064nm
Educational
low cost / simple interface
