Application Notes: General

By leveraging the NanoDrop Ultra’s microvolume pedestal, this protocol reduces assay volumes from 200 µL to as little as 20 µL while maintaining exceptional accuracy and reproducibility across a 0.2–10 ng/µL range.

Accurate, reproducible dsDNA and RNA quantification from 10–1000 ng/µL using 1–2 µL samples with NanoDrop Ultra FL—fast, precise fluorescence measurement.

Submicron optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy is transforming particulate and aggregate analysis in biopharmaceuticals by delivering true IR and Raman chemical specificity below the diffraction limit. This paper explores how O-PTIR overcomes long-standing challenges associated with FTIR, Raman, and fluorescence techniques, enabling high-resolution, artefact-free characterization of complex protein and polymeric particulates. Real-world case studies demonstrate how simultaneous IR+Raman measurements reveal chemical heterogeneity and insights critical for reducing immunogenicity in advanced therapeutics.

Experts in FTIR spectroscopy and microscopy discuss critical analysis in packaging, from raw material identification and QC of multi-layer laminates to major challenges in recycling and microplastics.

As laboratories face increasing demands to analyze complex samples quickly, accurately, and in compliance with rigorous standards, FTIR microscopy is evolving to meet the challenge. This paper offers a practical look at how innovations in imaging, automation, and spectral analysis are streamlining workflows and improving reproducibility in real-world lab environments. Techniques that simplify tasks such as contaminant detection, polymer layer analysis, microplastics characterization, and pharmaceutical QA/QC are also explored. Whether focused on high-throughput quality control or advanced materials research, this paper will provide actionable strategies to enhance your FTIR microscopy practice and stay ahead of evolving analytical needs.

NIR spectroscopy enables fast measurement of polyethylene content in polypropylene for recycled plastic feedstock analysis.

Discover how NIR enables fast, chemical-free moisture and melt flow rate analysis in ETFE, streamlining quality control and boosting lab efficiency.

Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) is one of the most powerful techniques for catalyst research and material analysis. To ensure you generate reliable, repeatable, and decision-ready data, you need to have the right systems, practices, and training in place. This interactive checklist tool will help you analyze your current set up to troubleshoot or improve your set up.

Silicon carbide’s hardness, strength, and thermal stability make it ideal for abrasives and armor. Particle size analysis ensures optimal performance and precision.

Download this at-a-glance overview of Specac’s products. Up-to-date as of 2025, the brochure represents a handy takeaway guide to the range of products offered in our four main segments: FTIR accessories, Hydraulic presses – sample prep, IR polarizers, and Process flow cells.

This 60-minute webinar highlights practical approaches to FTIR analysis from raw materials through to final product testing. Key topics include GLP-1 peptide analysis, pharmacopoeia compliance, food fraud detection, and protein stability assessment using advanced sampling accessories. The session is ideal for formulation scientists, QA/QC teams, and FTIR users in pharma, biotech, and food industries looking to enhance their analytical capabilities.

This free resource from Specac explores how FTIR spectroscopy helps stabilise GLP-1 protein therapies by providing rapid, label-free insights into structural integrity across both solid and liquid formulations. It enables R&D and QC teams to detect aggregation and misfolding early, streamline workflows, and generate audit-ready data to meet global standards.

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) converts methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) - two major greenhouse gases - into syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen used to make fuels and chemicals. To improve this process, researchers studied how gases interact with a nickel–ruthenium catalyst on cerium oxide nanorods using in-situ DRIFTS, an advanced infrared technique. With a high-temperature chamber, they tracked surface changes from 50 °C to 450 °C in real time. The findings help guide the development of better DRM catalysts, supporting cleaner energy production and smarter use of greenhouse gases. Read more below in our application note.

Raman spectroscopy enables fast, nondestructive estimation of amine value in epoxy hardeners, validated against titration for quality control.

Quickly determine fat content in olive pomace using NIR spectroscopy—fast, chemical-free, and cost-effective analysis in seconds to optimize oil extraction efficiency.

Screen fenthion in olive oil with SERS after simple extraction—sensitive to better than the 1 ppm regulatory limit.

Verify edible oil identity in seconds with handheld Raman (Mira P) and PCA—fast, nondestructive identification testing with no sample preparation

Quickly determine olive oil quality parameters and detect adulteration using NIR spectroscopy—fast, chemical-free, and cost-saving analysis compared to traditional methods.

All food products should be of trustworthy quality and purity, not just for consumer safety but also to ensure product authenticity and the accuracy of product labels. This is especially important for olive oils, of which there are many different types based on quality (e.g. refined, extra virgin, etc.). In some circumstances, high quality oils can be adulterated with other lower quality olive oils or oils from a different source, like canola or soybean.

Thermochromic materials are substances which reversibly change color with temperature and are commonly used in a variety of products like textiles and smart windows, among other materials.

Efficient and reliable sample preparation is essential for food manufacturers and contract laboratories tasked with delivering accurate, regulatory-compliant analytical data. From elemental testing to nutritional profiling, laboratories must manage increasingly complex matrices while maintaining fast turnaround times and data integrity. This paper explores how microwave sample preparation technologies—including digestion, extraction, and hydrolysis—support high-throughput food and feed analysis. It will also address the “total workflow” approach that ultimately helps labs reduce processing time, improve data quality, and enhance operational efficiency across a wide range of applications. Light Labs, a modern analytical testing facility committed to food safety and lab efficiency, is also featured for how they leverage single reaction chamber (SRC) microwave technology to streamline trace metals analysis.

Pt-Co, Hazen, and APHA color are three different terms referring to the same color analysis procedure often used to assess the yellowness of water samples. In this analysis a mixture of cobalt chloride and potassium hexachloroplatinate(IV) is prepared and subsequently diluted by varying amounts to form an array of yellow to almost colorless standards, as described in ASTM D1209 and ISO 6271:2015.

The human eye is able to collect the light reflected off a surface, leading to the perception of color. Since the color range we can see covers the aptly named visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum (400 – 700 nm), UV-Visible spectrophotometers are often used for color analysis.

Discover the unique benefits of PerkinElmer's NexION® 5000 multi-quadrupole ICP-MS for the direct analysis of trace elements in open-ocean seawater.

For the direct analysis of trace elements in coastal seawater, uncover how PerkinElmer’s NexION® 2200 ICP-MS is the ideal solution for this application.

Iodine is crucial for health, but imbalances can cause thyroid issues. See how the NexION® 1100 ICP-MS meets GB/T-5750.5-2023 standards for iodine in drinking water.