 Largely based at Princeton University and Rice University, initial funding of the center is $15 million in its first year, with an additional $40 million allotted over the next 10 years.MIRTHE's goal is to develop mid-infrared ( λ ~ 3 to 30 μm) optical trace gas sensing systems based on new technologies such as quantum cascade lasers or quartz enhanced photo-acoustic spectroscopy, with the ability to detect minute amounts of chemicals found in the environment or atmosphere, emitted from spills, combustion, or natural sources, or exhaled in human breath.Through its fundamental research and prototyping in materials, sources, detectors, sensing systems, and application testbeds, MIRTHE addresses a broad range of technologies and industry sectors - semiconductors, test and measurement, medical equipment manufacturers, chemical and petrochemical, and homeland security - as well as government labs and hospitals.