John Chasse

Taiwanese researchers employed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate cortical activation patterns during prolonged obstacle walking in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), comparing those with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) to those without cognitive impairment (PD-nonMCI). The study, published in the Journal of Movement Disorders, combined real-time hemodynamic monitoring with detailed gait analysis to examine brain–behavior coupling during complex motor tasks.

In the last of a three-part series, Spectroscopy spoke to a team of researchers (including Katarzyna M. Marzec and Natalia Wilkosz, corresponding authors of the resulting paper) can track diabetes progression through spectral markers of protein aggregation and membrane rigidity, account for age- and sex-dependent variations in the db/db mouse model and address translational challenges in adapting murine spectrochemical signatures to human type 2 diabetes diagnostics.

Micro-infrared spectroscopy was used by researchers to characterize microplastics in China’s Minjiang River and Tuojiang River. Concentrations ranged from 5.0–18.2 items/L, with shifting polymer compositions between 2021 and 2023. Polymer-specific risk indices highlighted evolving ecological threats and the need for long-term spectroscopic monitoring.

In the second of a three-part series, Spectroscopy spoke to researchers (including Katarzyna M. Marzec and Natalia Wilkosz, corresponding authors of the resulting paper) about how FT-IR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy detect oxidative stress–related disulfide bond alterations and protein instability in diabetic RBCs, address experimental challenges in resolving membrane versus cytoplasmic protein signals, enable non-invasive molecular profiling beyond conventional assays, and, when coupled with multivariate tools such as oPLS-DA and VIP scoring, enhance robust identification of disease-specific spectral biomarkers.

Researchers demonstrated that magnetic particle spectroscopy, the analytical counterpart to magnetic particle imaging (MPI), can continuously monitor blood coagulation. Using the iron oxide tracer Resotran, harmonic signal decay correlated with clot formation, supporting real-time, radiation-free bedside coagulation assessment.

Using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, a research team identified sex- and age-specific molecular alterations in red blood cells from diabetic mice.In the first of a three-part series, Spectroscopy spoke to members of the research team (including Katarzyna M. Marzec and Natalia Wilkosz, corresponding authors of the resulting paper) about how FT-IR differentiates α-helix, β-sheet, and β-turn structures in RBC membrane proteins through analysis of the Amide I and Amide II bands—enhanced by second-derivative processing to reveal subtle protein misfolding in T2DM—while its complementary use with Raman spectroscopy provides a more comprehensive molecular assessment of protein conformation, lipid remodeling, and oxidative stress–induced membrane alterations.

A study conducted at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, California), with collaboration from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan), presented a comprehensive characterization of the gaseous UF6 LIBS plasma behavior, examining the effects of laser pulse width and wavelength on spectral characteristics and fundamental plasma properties through temporally resolved analysis, Boltzmann-plot temperature determination, and electron number density evaluation. Spectroscopy spoke to George Chan of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and corresponding author for the paper resulting from this work.

Research evaulating the performance of modern micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) silicon drift detector (SDD) systems for forensic discrimination of electrical tape evidence, comparing results from eight participating laboratories addressed the critical need for standardized analytical protocols in forensic laboratories analyzing pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, which are frequently encountered in criminal investigations including drug trafficking, kidnapping, and improvised explosive device construction. Spectroscopy spoke to Lacey Leatherland, lead author of the paper resulting from the study.

A recent study investigated the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as a viable technique for detecting and quantifying trace technetium-99 (^99Tc) for future molten salt reactor applications, where long-lived fission products must be carefully monitored. Spectroscopy spoke to Hunter Andrews of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Oak Ridge, Tennessee), corresponding author of the paper resulting from their research, about their findings.

Returned samples from asteroid Bennu by the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission were analyzed using complementary spectroscopic and microspectroscopic techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy (μFTIR), scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), and secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), revealing a previously unknown polymeric organic phase enriched in nitrogen and oxygen. Spectroscopy spoke to Scott Sandford and Michel Nuevo of NASA’s Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, California), and Zack Gainsforth of the University of California’s Space Sciences Laboratory (Berkeley, California), three of the authors of the paper (1) resulting from the research team’s analysis.

In the first part of our interview with Ken Marcus of Clemson University, he discusses what he enjoys about the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry. Marcus also dives into his research and how the instrumentation his group uses allows for better separation of isobars without the need for chemical intervention, enhancing the accuracy of mass spectrometry (MS) readings.

Researchers explored near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) spectroscopy as a fast, noninvasive, and portable alternative for chemical warfare agent detection, addressing limitations of existing on-site analytical methods. Spectroscopy spoke to Jelle C. de Koning, corresponding author of the paper resulting from this work

In this video clip, discover insights from Alexander Scheeline's talk on transient discharges at the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry.

A recap of a few interviews Spectroscopy editors have conducted with key opinion leaders at the forefront of technique innovation in 2025. These experts share their views on technological breakthroughs, analytical challenges, and the trends poised to redefine how we interrogate matter at every scale.

A recent study provides a detailed introduction to uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) for analyzing LA-ICP-TOF-MS data. By converting high-dimensional MSI data into two-dimensional spaces, UMAP facilitates automated visualization to identify spectral clusters. Spectroscopy spoke to the paper’s lead author, Katharina Kronenberg of the University of Graz, about her group’s work.

Paolo Oliveri of the University of Genoa (Italy) sat down with Spectroscopy to discuss the case for artificial intelligence’s (AI) increasing influence in chemistry, and maintained that the chemometrics field has long employed tools now labeled as AI and machine learning (ML).

Researchers at the University of Lausanne investigated the potential of rapid and portable spectroscopic techniques such as Raman and NIR for illicit drug profiling, with the aim of enhancing the timeliness and operational utility of the generated intelligence for ongoing investigations as opposed to utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy.

Spectroscopy spoke to Benjamin Manard, Senior R&D Staff Scientist and the Group Leader of the Chemical & Isotopic Mass Spectrometry Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) as well as to Sarah Szakas and Jordan Stanberry, postdoctoral researchers at ORNL, regarding their work using examined single-particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-TOF-MS) as a novel technique for uranium particle isotope ratio measurements.

In this interview clip, Yingchan Guo of the University of Florida previews her talk on Tuesday and gives her reaction of the conference thus far.

Researchers at the University of the Basque Country, along with Català Restauradors S.L. analyzed the emergence of soluble salts on mural paintings in the vault of the Valencia Cathedral, using Raman and micro-energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy combined with ion chromatography.

Metabolite identification is critical in drug development, with mass spectrometry (MS) as the primary tool, but limited in full structural elucidation. Infrared ion spectroscopy (IRIS) overcomes some of these limitations by combining MS sensitivity with IR-based structural fingerprints, enabling characterization without reference standards. Spectroscopy spoke to Giel Berden regarding applications in metabolite identification by determining the site of glucuronidation and phase I oxidation in selected drug molecules.

Researchers from the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory’s Agricultural Research Service present a preliminary characterization of the citrus peel materials responsible for elevated high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) chromatogram baselines from citrus peel extracts through the use of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and proton-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy.

Researchers at the Central University of Venezuela (Caracas, Venezuela) have developed a robust, definite, and economical methodology for rapid and accurate quantification of theobromine and caffeine in cocoa beans extracts from Venezuelan cocoa using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)

Spectroscopy spoke to Shreya Singh of Cornell University, author of a recent article dealing with using DRIFTS for the photocatalytic conversion of CO₂.

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) are using chromatography and spectroscopy combined to help predict wine ratings. The team investigated the relationship between chemical composition and consumer liking, using Vivino ratings as quality endpoints.

Spectroscopy spoke to Lingyan Shi of the University of California San Diego, about her team's research exploring a noninvasive cancer classification tool.

A joint study conducted by Applied Spectra (West Sacramento, California) and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, California) used laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to measure uranium with a detection limit as low as 1.3 picograms, achieving unprecedented sensitivity by optimizing the uranium emission line, system hardware, and light collection efficiency. Richard Russo is the corresponding author for the paper that resulted from this research, and will receive, on behalf of the rest of his team, the 2024 Spectrochimica Acta Part B Best Paper Award.

In the final part of our interview with 2025 Charles Mann Award recipient Marc Porter, Distinguished Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah, imagines a world where diagnosing deadly diseases is as easy as pulling out a handheld device. With portable Raman spectrometers entering decentralized healthcare, even the most remote settings can benefit from instant analysis—slashing turnaround times and costs while boosting patient care.

In the second part of our interview with 2025 Charles Mann Award recipient Marc Porter, Distinguished Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah, discusses how surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) enables faster, more reliable detection in point-of-need settings, and explore its potential for real-world clinical deployment.

Spectroscopy speaks with Marc Porter, Distinguished Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah, for the first of a three-part conversation regarding his work involving the development and evaluation of a highly sensitive biomarker detection strategy using surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS), which offers stronger signal amplification than traditional surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Porter will receive the 2025 Charles Mann Award, presented to an individual who has demonstrated advancement(s) in the field of applied Raman spectroscopy.