Will Wetzel

Experts comment on the biggest trends in spectroscopy heading into 2026, and what this means for science and technology.

This feature reflects on the interviews Spectroscopy magazine conducted in 2025.

From San Francisco to Europe, we explored the most influential spectroscopy conferences of 2025, uncovering key trends, applications, and expert perspectives shaping the field today.

ABB announced that they will develop a lunar soil analysis instrument for Canada's Lunar Utility Rover, enhancing lunar exploration and resource utilization through advanced infrared spectroscopy.

A recent study shows that bioimpedance spectroscopy can non-invasively and reliably assess fruit and vegetable freshness by tracking electrical changes during ripening.

In this Spectroscopy blog post, Yang Liu, a Scientific Liaison for General Chapters at the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), discusses how data-driven methodologies are set to transform spectroscopy in 2026 and beyond, particularly in pharmaceutical analysis.

Top articles published this week include a farewell address from associate editorial director Caroline Hroncich, a new column on carbonyl compounds from Brian Smith, and an inside look at A-TEEM spectroscopy.

In a recent press release, Renishaw unveils TRRS technology, revolutionizing Raman spectroscopy by overcoming fluorescence challenges for accurate analysis of complex samples.

A study published in the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy reports the detection of polyethylene, PET, and nylon microplastics in Greece’s remote Dragon Lake on Mt. Tymfi.

A recent study from researchers in Indonesia and Taiwan demonstrates that tourism intensity on Gili Trawangan Island is strongly linked to higher microplastic contamination in coastal waters, sediments, and fish, highlighting the need for targeted waste management and sustainable tourism policies to protect vulnerable island ecosystems.

Top articles published this week include interviews with Paolo Oliveri of the University of Genoa (Italy) and Maryam Shakiba and Santiago Marin of the University of Colorado Boulder, and an inside look at vibrational spectroscopy trends.

A new study from Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University introduces a high-accuracy, explainable deep learning model that significantly improves nondestructive nitrogen and chlorophyll estimation in maize canopies using hyperspectral data.

In this edition of “Inside the Laboratory,” Maryam Shakiba and Santiago Marin of the University of Colorado Boulder discuss the findings of their latest paper, which provides a predictive framework for understanding and forecasting long-term thermo-oxidative degradation in polyimides.

In this short feature, we highlight how the Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) are using techniques such as XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, and Raman tests to determine the mineral composition of meteorites.

A recent study demonstrates that full-range spectroscopy offers a highly accurate, scalable, and efficient solution for identifying Amazonian tree species across diverse ecosystems.

Researchers at Beijing University of Chemical Technology have developed a rapid online Raman spectroscopy method that accelerates real-time detection and strain screening of the bio-aviation fuel precursor β-farnesene.

The study reveals that leaf spectroscopy far outperforms traditional leaf traits in predicting forest leaf dark respiration across diverse ecosystems, offering a more accurate and scalable approach for improving carbon cycle models.

We take a walk through history here, providing the historical background on a recent multidisciplinary study that investigated the Angels Musicians murals in Valencia Cathedral.

Top articles published this week include an interview with Jorge Caceres of Complutense University, an inside look at pharmaceutical fermentation monitoring, and a news article on timely drug intelligence.

This review article highlights how a new review by Da-Wen Sun demonstrates that integrating spectroscopy with chemometric techniques can significantly improve cold chain food quality monitoring, authentication, and overall system efficiency.

A recent study investigated how structural phase changes inside sensing materials dynamically influence performance during gas exposure.

The study reveals that infrared and Raman spectroscopy can accurately identify dye sources and detect light-induced chemical degradation in culturally significant Māori harakeke fibers.

In this article, we focus on why LIBS is particularly ideal for forensic applications, especially for studying human or animal remains.

A recent study demonstrates that near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a fast, cost-effective, and reliable tool for assessing soil and tree ecological traits, offering major potential for large-scale forest conservation and monitoring.

In this brief article, we discuss a rare celestial event that happened in late November involving the planet Saturn.

Jorge Caceres, a professor at Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, sat down with Spectroscopy to discuss how LIBS works as a fast, simple, cost-effective, and analytically conclusive technique for confidently re-associating human bone remains.

Top articles published this week include an interview with Damodaran Kirshnan Achary, who is the director of the NMR Facility at the University of Pittsburgh, and a tutorial article on biosensors.

A recent study demonstrated that deep learning combined with ICP spectroscopy can accurately and affordably predict multiple soil properties.

The article highlights how rapidly advancing, non-destructive spectroscopic and imaging technologies, supported by AI, multi-modal data integration, and increasing instrument portability.

A new study led by Meirong Liu at the Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences provides a comprehensive framework to eliminate instrumental and experimental artifacts in photoluminescence spectroscopy.