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Atomic Perspectives: Highlights from Recent Columns
March 3rd 2025“Atomic Perspectives,” provides tutorials and updates on new analytical atomic spectroscopy techniques in a broad range of applications, including environmental analysis, food and beverage analysis, and space exploration, to name a few. Here, we present a compilation of some of the most popular columns.
A New Radiation: C.V. Raman and the Dawn of Quantum Spectroscopy, Part I
Published: March 3rd 2025 | Updated: May 1st 2025In this "Icons of Spectroscopy" column, executive editor Jerome Workman Jr. delves into Part I of the life and work of C. V. Raman, a physicist who has made major contributions to the science of vibrational spectroscopy and created an understanding for one of the most important quantum-based spectroscopy tools in generations.
AI-Powered Detection System Identifies Petroleum Contamination in Edible Oils
March 3rd 2025Researchers from Jiangsu University and Jimei University have developed an AI-powered detection system using near-infrared spectroscopy and a convolutional neural network long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) model to accurately identify petroleum contamination in edible oils for improving food safety and quality control.
Best of the Week: Handheld NIR Spectrometry, Previewing Pittcon, Icons of Spectroscopy
February 28th 2025Top articles published this week include an interview that used handheld near-infrared (NIR) spectrometry to classify polyolefin films, previews of the upcoming Pittcon conference next week, and an article about some of the most influential spectroscopists.
Investigating ANFO Lattice Vibrations After Detonation with Raman and XRD
February 28th 2025Spectroscopy recently sat down with Dr. Geraldine Monjardez and two of her coauthors, Dr. Christopher Zall and Dr. Jared Estevanes, to discuss their most recent study, which examined the crystal structure of ammonium nitrate (AN) following exposure to explosive events.
Your Guide to the European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry
February 27th 2025The 20th European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry (EWCPS 2025) is scheduled to take place from March 2 to 7, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. Here, we provide a conference insider regarding what spectroscopists should consider checking out, as well as the topics that will be discussed at the conference.
Nanoparticle-Enhanced LIBS Mapping Uncovers Coffee-Ring Effect in Serum Analysis
February 27th 2025Researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology and Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital have demonstrated how optimizing silver nanoparticle concentrations can mitigate the coffee-ring effect in nanoparticle-enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (NELIBS), improving the accuracy of elemental analysis in bioliquid samples.
Pittcon 2025: Highlighting Talks on Atomic Spectroscopy
February 26th 2025At Pittcon this year, there will be numerous sessions dedicated to spotlighting the latest research that uses atomic spectroscopy or elemental analysis techniques. We highlight some of these talks below that might pique the interest of spectroscopists and researchers attending the conference this year.
Using Handheld NIR Spectrometry in the Classification of Polyolefin Films
February 24th 2025By using a handheld NIR spectrometer, researchers aimed to optimize the classification process that makes it possible to differentiate between polyolefin and non-polyolefin films with a single measurement, even for thin films. Their findings could contribute to better recycling processes, helping to address the growing plastic waste problem. Spectroscopy spoke to Hana Stipanovic, corresponding author of a paper resulting from these efforts, about this research.
Best of the Week: Microplastic Pollution, Previewing the AAFS Conference, Next-Gen IR Sensors
February 21st 2025Top articles published this week include an interview that provides insight into how marine monitoring can improve mitigation of plastic pollution, coverage of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) conference, and an article about next-generation infrared (IR) sensors.
Fluorescence Anisotropy Offers New Insights into Food Texture and Structure
February 21st 2025A recent study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis explores the potential of fluorescence anisotropy as a tool for quantifying structural anisotropy in food, offering new insights for improving plant-based alternatives and dairy product textures.
Can Fluorescence Spectroscopy Evaluate Soil Dissolved Organic Matter Dynamics?
February 20th 2025A new study published in Chemical Engineering Journal by researchers from Northeast Agricultural University in China reveals that biochar aging, influenced by environmental factors like UV exposure and wet-dry cycles, alters dissolved organic matter composition and affects its effectiveness in remediating cadmium-contaminated soil.
Shining a Spotlight on Spectroscopy: What to Expect at Pittcon 2025
February 20th 2025In this short video, Coblentz Society president Luisa Profeta of Rigaku Analytical Devices and Igor Lednev of the University at Albany preview their talks and sessions taking place at Pittcon, as well as give their opinions about what topics they hope to explore more at the conference.
New Raman Spectrometer Paves the Way for Lunar and Planetary Exploration
February 17th 2025Researchers from Shandong University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed the Shandong University Remote Raman Spectrometer (SDU-RRS), a remote Raman system designed to enhance mineral detection in planetary exploration.
William Weber Coblentz: American Physicist and Pioneer of Infrared Spectroscopy
February 16th 2025W. W. Coblentz was one of the preeminent researchers in the field of infrared spectroscopy with work spanning a broad range of physics, chemistry, spectroscopic theory, instrumentation, applications, and sample handling. The Coblentz Society was established in his name in 1954 by Norman E. Wright and Van Zandt Williams.
The 2025 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award
February 15th 2025Benjamin T. Manard has won the 2025 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award for his pioneering research in nuclear material characterization and isotope ratio analysis, with expertise in advanced atomic spectrometry techniques such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and laser ablation.
FT-IR Microscopy, Part 2: Mid-IR Sampling with DRIFTS, IRRAS, and ATR
February 14th 2025Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microscopy using reflection methods (diffuse reflection, reflection/reflection-absorption, or attenuated total reflectance) typically requires less sample preparation than transmission. However, optimal results will depend upon the sample and, in particular, the sample surface.
From Classical Regression to AI and Beyond: The Chronicles of Calibration in Spectroscopy: Part I
February 14th 2025This “Chemometrics in Spectroscopy” column traces the historical and technical development of these methods, emphasizing their application in calibrating spectrophotometers for predicting measured sample chemical or physical properties—particularly in near-infrared (NIR), infrared (IR), Raman, and atomic spectroscopy—and explores how AI and deep learning are reshaping the spectroscopic landscape.
Best of the Week: Celebrating Women in Spectroscopy, Detecting Microplastics in Drinking Water
February 14th 2025Top articles published this week include an article celebrating women in spectroscopy, a video interview discussing how Raman microspectroscopy can help detect microplastics in potable water, and a news article about using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FT-IR) spectroscopy to detect fentanyl in fingernails.
A Proposal for the Origin of the Near-Ubiquitous Fluorescence in Raman Spectra
February 14th 2025In this column, I describe what I believe may be the origin of this fluorescence emission and support my conjecture with some measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Understanding the origin of these interfering backgrounds may enable you to design experiments with less interference, avoid the laser illuminations that make things worse, or both.