David Walsh

For anyone who makes his or her living in the field of analytical chemistry, and more specifically, in the fields of chromatography or spectroscopy, the debate concerning the state of the conference industry is well known to say the least.

By all accounts, the spectroscopy market and the materials analysis market in general have weathered the recession and downward economic turn of the last couple of years very well. To begin with, it has been well documented that the effects of these difficult economic times have been felt less severely in the spectroscopy market compared to other markets, as the demand for instrumentation and services has remained at respectable levels.

The sobering reality is that homeland security is unique in the field of analytical chemistry. In an industry such as the baby formula industry, a change in process can end a contamination scare and for the most part, prevent a future recurrence.

In the field of materials analysis, it is no secret that the topic of food safety is currently garnering more and more attention, with instrumentation from nearly every technique area being employed in the fight against contaminations and poisonings.

Spectroscopy previews the annual SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing Conference, taking place April 5-9, 2010, in Orlando, Florida.

February has arrived and this frigid time of year can mean only one thing in the field of spectroscopy and analytical chemistry in general: it's time for Pittcon.

It has certainly been a long 12 months. With the economic recession, the housing crisis, and high unemployment dominating the news and impacting the spectroscopy marketplace in 2009, it is easy to see why many readers will not be sorry to see the end of 2009, and why they will be all too happy to welcome in 2010.

The FDA, like the IRS or the DMV, is one of those governmental agencies that by its very nature can inspire many with at least a hint of dread. For one thing, it can often seem that they are only heard from when something bad is happening (that is, you haven't paid your taxes, you haven't paid a speeding ticket . . . or there is an inspection of your facility on the way).

Editor letter on ICP and ICP-MS

It has been said that time seems to move faster the older you get, and judging by how quickly we have reached the end of 2009, I would say this cliché is certainly valid. With the holiday season just around the corner, 2009 is nearing a close, and even though this may mean vacation time and more time away from work for many, for those in the field of spectroscopy, this time of year (ironically) has always meant an uptick in conference and symposia activity.