Nicole Olson

This year’s honoree, Megan Thielges, is a pioneer in the development of vibrational probes for use with 2D IR spectroscopy, to reveal new information about the structures and dynamics of proteins.

This article discusses advances in techniques and modifications to technologies that are improving measurements and enabling well-established techniques to break into new and exciting fields of research.We survey developments in infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Analytical spectroscopy is a mature field, but advances in instrumentation, measurement, and sample preparation techniques continue to be made. Much recent development has seen a heavy emphasis towards techniques and instrumentation that allow for non-invasive, in-situ, and in-vivo procedures while still retaining a high degree of sensitivity. This article will review some of this progress over the past two to three years across five major spectroscopic fields: Raman, LIBS, XRF, IR, and ICP techniques.