Analytical Instrumentation

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) VaporID, which is a newly developed portable air sampling system incorporating a miniaturized mass spectrometer (MS), can detect trace levels of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and even explosives like TNT with great accuracy.

A new study published in the Journal of South American Earth Sciences reveals how microbial activity, low pH conditions, and sediment chemistry in Brazil’s São Carlos Shale uniquely preserved diverse Upper Cretaceous fossils, offering fresh insights into the paleoenvironment of the Bauru Basin.

A new study published in the journal Food Chemistry by lead authors Qian Zhao and Jun Huang from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology unveil a new data-driven framework for predicting resistant starch content in rice

A recent study developed new photoacoustic probes to better visualize oxidative stress during acute liver injury.

This product review covers products introduced from May 2024 to April 2025.

Jiangxi Agricultural University researchers use AI and vis-NIRS to predict meat quality and freezing duration with high accuracy.

Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a novel method using single compound spectra to enhance the transferability and accuracy of Raman spectroscopy models for real-time fermentation monitoring.

Researchers from Gifu Pharmaceutical University and Gifu University Hospital unveil a novel polaprezinc (PLZ) mucoadhesive film designed to replace painful lozenges for cancer patients.

On April 9th, Marama Labs, a scientific instrument company with offices in Wellington, New Zealand, and Dublin, Ireland, announced in a press release the launch of its new CloudSpec instrument.

This study compares the sensitivity of CIE Lab values, peak area, and yellowness index for the determination of color attributes among a set of white and stained seashells exposed to tea tannins.

A new study published in Talanta introduces SYSPECTRAL, a portable multi-spectroscopic system that can conduct non-invasive, in situ chemical analysis of cultural heritage materials by integrating LIBS, LIF, Raman, and reflectance spectroscopy into a single compact device.

On Wednesday, March 5th, the Williams Wright Award will be presented to David W. Schiering of 908 Devices. We preview the award session here.

In this article, the basic principles, advantages, and limitations of different optical techniques for obtaining seed vigor estimates are introduced and reviewed, and the key technology of non-destructive optical detection of single seeds will be discussed.

A recent study from China explored a new, non-destructive method combining terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and machine learning to accurately classify wheat gluten strength.

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

A recent study examined how spectroscopic techniques, such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS), are monitoring indoor air quality.

Sirish Subash is the winner of the Young Scientist Award, presented by 3M and Discovery education. His work incorporates spectrophotometry, a nondestructive method that measures the light of various wavelengths that is reflected off fruits and vegetables.

Handheld instrumentation allows for on-site analysis without transporting samples to a laboratory, helping to reduce the cost and time of forensic investigations.

DermaSensor published the results of their elastic scattering spectroscopic device in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions.

A recent study in beverage analysis showcased the capability of a new electronic tongue (e-tongue) prototype in analyzing liquid samples such as coconut water.

A recent study from Jiangsu University highlighted the challenges associated with the real-time application of microfluidic technology. We summarize their research here.

This review covers products introduced in the spectroscopy space between May 2023 and April 2024.

Here are the top five articles that the editors of Spectroscopy published this week.

Scientists from the Czech Republic developed an automated classification pipeline meant to provide real-time in vivo examinations of normal and cancerous colorectal tissue.

Metrohm USA announced Katelyn Michael as the 2024 winner of its Young Chemist Award for her work on the degradation of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).

Spectroscopy spoke with the CEO and CCO of the instrument manufacturer PerkinElmer to discuss trends in the analytical and life sciences industry.

Among the products included in this estimate of the industry over the next seven years are fluorescence microarray scanners.

Researchers in Brazil leverage artificial intelligence algorithms and Vis-NIR-SWIR hyperspectroscopy to achieve precise pigment phenotyping and classification of eleven lettuce varieties, showcasing the potential of integrating advanced technologies in agriculture.

Researchers at the University of Kentucky employ non-destructive hyperspectral imaging and machine learning to predict and manage the physicochemical quality attributes of apples during storage, addressing the impact of codling moth infestation and revolutionizing apple quality assurance.