Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

A recent study explored how polymer-based tea bags contribute to the release of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPL).

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.

As part of Spectroscopy’s Icons of Spectroscopy Laureate Series, associate editorial director Caroline Hroncich sat down with Jeanette Grasselli Brown to discuss her career.

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 by researchers from the University of Belgrade highlights the transformative potential of attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FT-IR) spectroscopy for analyzing protein structures. This versatile method not only provides insights into secondary structures but also excels at tracking aggregation processes, offering advantages over traditional techniques like X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

A new model corrects errors in analyzing complex mixtures using ATR FT-IR, paving the way for more accurate chemical insights.

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.

Scientists have developed a novel and creative mid-infrared (MIR) hyperspectral microscope using single-pixel imaging (SPI) technology and a quantum cascade laser (QCL). This innovation offers faster, more cost-effective chemical analysis compared to traditional methods, promising new frontiers in microscopic imaging.

HSI is widely applied in fields such as remote sensing, environmental analysis, medicine, pharmaceuticals, forensics, material science, agriculture, and food science, driving advancements in research, development, and quality control.

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

The following is a summary of selected articles published recently in Spectroscopy on the subject of handheld, portable, and wearable spectrometers representing a variety of analytical techniques and applications. Here we take a closer look at the ever shrinking world of spectroscopy devices and how they are used. As spectrometers progress from bulky lab instruments to compact, portable, and even wearable devices, the future of spectroscopy is transforming dramatically. These advancements enable real-time, on-site analysis across diverse industries, from healthcare to environmental monitoring. This summary article explores cutting-edge developments in miniaturized spectrometers and their expanding range of practical applications.

Over the past two years Spectroscopy Magazine has increased our coverage of artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning (DL), and machine learning (ML) and the mathematical approaches relevant to the AI topic. In this article we summarize AI coverage and provide the reference links for a series of selected articles specifically examining these subjects. The resources highlighted in this overview article include those from the Analytically Speaking podcasts, the Chemometrics in Spectroscopy column, and various feature articles and news stories published in Spectroscopy. Here, we provide active links to each of the full articles or podcasts resident on the Spectroscopy website.

Top articles published this week include highlights from the Eastern Analytical Symposium, a news article about the infrared (IR) spectroscopy market, and a couple of news articles recapping spectroscopic analysis of microplastics.

A recent study demonstrates the potential of infrared (IR) spectroscopy-based breath analysis as a non-invasive method to detect prostate cancer by identifying disease-specific volatile organic compounds.

This study uses Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to analyze how the globular protein ovalbumin's secondary structures transition under varying pH conditions in the presence of the cosolvent xylitol, highlighting the role of noncovalent interactions in these conformational changes.

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging contaminants requiring robust analytical techniques for identification and quantification in diverse environmental and biological matrices. This review highlights various spectroscopy methods, such as Raman, FT-IR, NIR, ICP-MS, Fluorescence, X-ray, and NMR detailing their methodologies, sample handling, and applications for characterizing MPs and NPs.

A Monday morning session at the Eastern Analytical Symposium in Plainsboro, New Jersey, highlighted hyperspectral and biological imaging techniques.

This article recaps a recent study into the infrared (IR) spectroscopy market.

A study published in the Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis by Yuanwen Kuang and colleagues used advanced pyrolysis techniques to reveal the preservation and chemical transformations of 2,000-year-old Chinese swamp cypress wood, offering valuable insights for archaeological conservation and environmental reconstructions.

A new review highlights the promising role of non-destructive spectroscopy techniques in enhancing olive and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality assessments. By combining spectroscopy with imaging, researchers uncover innovative ways to determine product authenticity and improve quality control in olive oil production.

Spectroscopy sat down with Landulfo Silveira Jr. of Universidade Anhembi Morumbi-UAM and Center for Innovation, Technology and Education-CITÉ (São Paulo, Brazil) to talk about his team’s latest research using Raman spectroscopy to detect biomarkers of cancer in canine sera.

Recent research highlights the potential of infrared (IR) spectroscopy as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for cancer detection through blood derivatives. However, significant confounding factors pose challenges to its clinical adoption, necessitating rigorous standard operating procedures.

A recent study examined the role of infrared (IR) spectroscopy in volcanology.

Here, a recap of a recent study that used Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) imaging to evaluate changes in the inulin, lignin, and suberin contents of tuberous roots is presented.

The emergence of new spectroscopic technologies has allowed investigators to solve and prosecute wildlife crimes more quickly.