All
Advancing the Application of NIR Spectroscopy
September 11th 2015Although near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is not a particularly sensitive technique, it can be implemented with little or no sample preparation and thus is well suited to applications such as process monitoring, materials science, and medical uses. We asked a panel of experts to comment on important current applications of NIR, as well as emerging new areas of application and the challenges involved in those newer applications.
Advancing the Forensic Analysis of Hair
September 11th 2015The analysis of hair samples is gaining increasing interest in forensic science because of several advantages. Hair samples are easy to collect and store. The keratin protein in hair is also quite stable, and the amino acid composition of human hair keratin may vary significantly between individuals. Glen Jackson of West Virginia University has been developing various mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods for forensic analysis of hair samples, and he recently spoke to us about this work.
Growing Applications of XRF Spectroscopy: In the Field, the Factory, and the Lab
September 4th 2015As a fast, quasi-nondestructive analytical technique, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy is useful for a wide range of applications. To get a sense of the current breadth of XRF’s use and its potential growth in new areas, we asked a panel of experts to comment on the most important application areas for XRF, including the challenges involved and how XRF competes with other techniques.
Advancement of Trace-Element Speciation in the Environment, Food, and Biota
July 1st 2015The speciation of trace elements has become much more common in recent years, and in some cases is now required by certain regulatory bodies - such as for the analysis of hexavalent chromium in drinking water. At the same time, speciation methods are becoming sophisticated as researchers try to address more complex questions about how different metal species are transported and interact with the environment and specifically with plants, animals, and humans, often forming complexes with other compounds that are more complicated to analyze. Prof.
Analysis of Edible Clams Uses Total Reflection X-ray Spectrometry
May 8th 2015Bivalves, such as clams, frequently are used as bioindicators to assess coastal aquatic environments because they can accumulate trace metals and other substances-up to 100 times higher than the concentration levels found in the water in which they live, including elements such as chromium, lead, arsenic, and cadmium, which can be toxic even at low concentrations. Given that many bivalves are consumed by people, this bio-accumulation presents food safety as well as environmental risks.
Upcoming Eastern Analytical Symposium Integrates Art and Science
October 10th 2014The 2014 Eastern Analytical Symposium and Exposition (EAS), taking place November 17?19 in Somerset, New Jersey, promises attendees a comprehensive program of educational and networking opportunities for analytical scientists.