Atomic Spectroscopy

DOGE-related federal funding cuts have sharply reduced salaries, lab budgets, and graduate support in academia. Researchers view the politically driven shifts in priorities as part of recurring systemic issues in U.S. science funding during administrative transitions. The impact on Federal laboratories has varied, with some seeing immediate effects and others experiencing more gradual effects. In general, there is rising uncertainty over future appropriations. Sustainable recovery may require structural reforms, leaner administration, and stronger industry-academia collaboration. New commentary underscores similar challenges, noting scaled-back graduate admissions, spending freezes, and a pervasive sense of overwhelming stress among faculty, students, and staff. This article addresses these issues for the analytical chemistry community.

Tue, Jul 15, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

This study used three distinct sample preparation techniques to examine the metal content of geological rocks.

Webinar Date/Time: Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025 Morning Session: 11:00 am EDT - 1:00 pm EDT Afternoon Session: 2:00 pm EDT - 3:00 pm EDT Thursday, July 24th, 2025 Morning Session: 11:00 am EDT - 1:00 pm EDT Afternoon Session: 2:00 pm EDT - 3:00 pm EDT

Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 11 am PST | 2 pm EST

Explore the evolution of atomic spectroscopy and its impact on science writing, highlighting key publications and industry advancements over the decades.

Webinar Date/Time: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM EST

Webinar Date/Time: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 8am PDT | 11am EDT | 4pm BST | 5pm CEST

In this final part of our conversation with Harrington and Seibert, they discuss the main challenges that they encountered in their study and how we can improve elemental impurity analysis in pharmaceutical quality control.

In Part II of our conversation with James Harrington of RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, who was the lead author of this study, as well as coauthor Donna Seibert of Kalamazoo, Michigan, they talk about the reproducibility for Hg and V, as well as the ICP-MS and XRF results compare to one another.

Webinar Date/Time: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Spectroscopy sat down with James Harrington of Research Triangle Institute (RTI International) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, who was the lead author of this study, as well as coauthor Donna Seibert of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In Part I of our conversation with Harrington and Seibert, they discuss the impact of ICH Q3D and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) <232>/<233> guidelines on elemental impurity analysis and how they designed their study.

A new dual-spectroscopy approach reveals real-time pollution threats in indoor workspaces. Chinese researchers have pioneered the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and aerosol mass spectrometry to uncover and monitor harmful heavy metal and dust emissions from soldering and welding in real-time. These complementary tools offer a fast, accurate means to evaluate air quality threats in industrial and indoor environments—where people spend most of their time.

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy and Jeonbuk National University presented a novel technique for analyzing lithium isotopes in liquid samples.

A new study in Icarus by Fabian Seel and colleagues at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) reveals how atmospheric conditions significantly impact LIBS plasma behavior.

This month’s column investigates the elemental composition of electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

A research team from China has developed a portable LIBS device integrated with machine learning to achieve improved accuracy in rapid, in situ rock classification for geological exploration and petroleum logging.

“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.

This article highlights key contributors who have significantly advanced the field of spectroscopy in recent decades.

At 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.

Benjamin 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.

In recent years, advances in X-ray optics and detectors have enabled the commercialization of laboratory μXRF spectrometers with spot sizes of ~3 to 30 μm that are suitable for routine imaging of element localization, which was previously only available with scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). This new technique opens a variety of new μXRF applications in the food and agricultural sciences, which have the potential to provide researchers with valuable data that can enhance food safety, improve product consistency, and refine our understanding of the mechanisms of elemental uptake and homeostasis in agricultural crops. This month’s column takes a more detailed look at some of those application areas.

Top articles published this week include two peer-reviewed articles that explore optical detection technology for seed vigor and classifying flowers, as well as a profile on Benjamin Manard, who was recognized as the winner of the 2025 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy.

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.

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

Scientists from the University of Tokyo explored the utility of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in lunar missions.

NASA’s Perseverance rover is collecting valuable information for scientists back on Earth. A recent study explored how laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is being used to analyze the Martian surface.

A recent study from American Mineralogist looked at improving mineral classification using dual-band Raman spectroscopy.

The following article is adapted from a chapter in the author’s textbook, Practical Guide to ICP-MS and Other AS Techniques: A Tutorial for Beginners, published by CRC Press.