Spectroscopy sat down with Benjamin Manard, senior R&D staff and group leader for chemical and isotopic mass spectrometry at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to discuss his career in the National Laboratory system, and his advice for scientists interested in following a similar path.

It has occurred to me that, in the 10+ years I have been writing about molecular vibrations, I have never introduced my readers to its basic theory! I will rectify that now. Some of this is new material, and some will be review. Either way, it is important that all this material be covered in one place.

Seeking opportunities for career growth is important for early-career scientists to explore new skills, connect with mentors, and gain insights into the field. Professional societies and educational programs can be invaluable resources, providing mentorship, training, and networking opportunities that can accelerate career success in spectroscopy.

Because there is a different Raman signature for each of the polymorphs as well as the contaminants, Raman microscopy is an ideal tool for analyzing the structure of these materials as well as identifying possible contaminants that would also interfere with performance.

In 2024, we launched multiple content series, covered major conferences, presented two awards, and continued our monthly Analytically Speaking episodes. Below, you'll find a selection of the most popular content from Spectroscopy over the past year.

Reflecting on 2024, the editors of Spectroscopy highlight some of the most notable articles and online content on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).

We reflect on several of the major conferences Spectroscopy covered over the past year.

This year-in-review showcases the standout technical articles, compelling interviews, and key news stories that defined the pages of Spectroscopy. In this year in review, the editors of Spectroscopy highlight some of the top published technical articles, interviews, and news content published.

This month’s column evaluates the capability of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to reduce the impact of doubly charged rare-earth element (REE) interferences on the quantitation of the metalloids, arsenic (As), and selenium (Se) in water and biological matrices.

Miniaturized NIR spectrometers are transforming forensic science by enabling rapid, cost-effective, and portable field analysis.

A new study in Infrared Physics & Technology highlights the pivotal role of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in identifying and quantifying microplastics, emphasizing its advantages, limitations, and potential for advancement in mitigating environmental pollution.

A recent study published in Food Research International demonstrates how visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS) combined with machine-learning algorithms can accurately authenticate meat and fat based on livestock feeding systems, offering a sustainable and reliable solution for traceability in the meat industry.

A recent review article explores the evolving landscape of pigment analysis in cultural heritage (CH).

Top articles published this week include a Q&A interview involving using µFT-IR to study the atmospheric deposits of microplastics, a news article about Raman spectroscopy in disease diagnosis, and a look at the latest advancements in mid-infrared (MIR) imaging.

Researchers from Stanford University have combined surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with machine learning (ML) to enable rapid, precise single-cell analysis, offering potentially transformative applications in diagnostics and personalized medicine.

Aleksandra "Sasha" Karapetrova and Win Cowger discuss their research using µ-FTIR spectroscopy and Open Specy software to investigate microplastic deposits in remote snow areas, shedding light on the long-range transport of microplastics.

A recent study examined the role that Raman spectroscopy is playing in disease diagnosis.

Researchers at Yanshan University have developed a groundbreaking method combining Raman spectroscopy and deep learning models to accurately identify and quantify components in blended vegetable oils.

Top articles published this week include a review of lithium-ion batteries, a news article about portable near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and a look at using imaging techniques to preserve the wetlands.

A recent study reveals widespread and increasing microplastic contamination in the soils of Phoenix and the Sonoran Desert, highlighting significant environmental concerns and the need for further research into their sources and impacts.

A recent review article explored how vibrational spectroscopy techniques have been used in radiation biology.

Spectroscopy spoke with Uwe Karst, a full professor at the University of Münster in the Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, to discuss his research on hyphenated analytical techniques in battery research.

This review provides an overview of LIB technology and the spectroscopic techniques employed in LIB analysis.

A recent study examines a new micro-laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (micro-LIBS) device that can provide elemental maps of lithium.

A recent study demonstrated how to advance chemical education with decommissioned optical spectrometers.

This study aimed to assess and detect adulteration of Kelulut honey with different percentages of rice syrup using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy.

We examine some more of the latest articles that highlighted recent studies in environmental analysis.

A recent review article looks at how wetland ecosystems are being monitored using remote sensing technologies and imaging spectroscopy to better manage them.