Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

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

This year’s Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy Award recipient is Joseph P. Smith of Merck, whose research is significantly influencing pharmaceutical process development through his work in various spectroscopic techniques, biocatalysis, protein engineering, vaccine production, and advanced data analysis methods.

Researchers at Nagoya University and RIKEN have developed a novel computational method to enhance the resolution of high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) images for studying protein conformational transitions. The algorithm, normal mode flexible fitting-atomic force microscopy (NMFF-AFM), leverages normal-mode analysis to derive precise molecular models, potentially transforming the understanding of biomolecular dynamics.

This study uses hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology, in synergy with machine learning and deep learning algorithms, to innovate a non-destructive method for the assessment of chicken freshness.

A recent study demonstrated how to use mid-infrared (MIR) spectral data to predict body condition score (BCS) changes in dairy cows.

A recent study examined how to classify commercial wood species in Brazil using Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research and the University of Cambridge have revealed new insights into the behavior of water molecules at the surface of saltwater using advanced vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy (VSFG). Their findings challenge long-standing assumptions about ion distribution at these interfaces, which are critical in environmental and chemical processes.

Recent James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations have revealed intricate details about the surface compositions of dwarf planets Sedna, Gonggong, and Quaoar. Using spectroscopy, researchers have detected a rich variety of ices and organic compounds, shedding light on the effects of size and orbit on these distant solar system bodies.

A recent study from Heliyon examined microplastic contamination in soda beverage packaging.

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft embarks on a new mission—OSIRIS-APEX—to study asteroid Apophis after its anticipated close flyby of Earth on Friday, April 13, 2029. Utilizing advanced spectroscopy and other instruments, the mission will provide unprecedented insights into how planetary encounters reshape small bodies in our solar system.

Top articles published this week include a preview of our upcoming “The Future of Forensic Analysis” e-book, a few select offerings from “The Future of Forensic Analysis,” and a news story about next-generation mineral identification.

Researchers at King Saud University have successfully improved the efficiency of methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI3) perovskite solar cells by doping them with Germanium Sulfide (GeS). By enhancing the crystalline quality and surface morphology of the perovskite layer, the team achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.46%, making this doping technique a promising method for improving solar cell performance.

This article offers some insight into using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy at crime scenes.

Pakorn Patimetha, Detective Sergeant with the New Jersey State Police's Hazardous Materials Response Unit spoke to Spectroscopy about how officers use portable spectroscopy technology to detect potentially harmful materials at crime scenes.

For "The Future of Forensic Analysis” series, we interviewed Barry Lavine, regents professor from The Department of Chemistry at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to describe his most recent work in applying Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopy in forensic paint analysis.

Spectroscopy sat down with Brandon Gayle, who specializes in training first responders to use FT-IR, Raman, and other analytical techniques in emergency situations.

As part of “The Future of Forensic Analysis” content series presented by Spectroscopy, we sat down with Dr. Rajinder Singh of Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala, to talk about his recent work using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR) to distinguish different animal species based on hair samples.

A recent study from Australia used mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to analyze the spectra of soil core samples taken from vegetated coastal ecosystems (VCEs).

Spectroscopic analytical techniques are crucial for the analysis of agricultural products. This review emphasizes the latest advancements in several key spectroscopic methods, including atomic, vibrational, molecular, electronic, and X-ray techniques. The applications of these analytical methods in detecting important quality parameters, adulteration, insects and rodent infestation, ripening, and other essential applications are discussed.

A recent study reveals on the challenges and limitations of AI-driven spectroscopy methods for rapid food analysis. Despite the promise of these technologies, issues like small sample sizes, misuse of advanced modeling techniques, and validation problems hinder their effectiveness. The authors suggest guidelines for improving accuracy and reliability in both research and industrial settings.

In part two of our exploration of wood forensics, a deep dive of a recent study from Panjab University explains why attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FT-IR) spectroscopy improves on traditional methods in this space.

Wood forensics is an important field that helps authenticate wood and addresses the challenges that illegal logging brings. In this multipart article, we explore the wood forensics industry, and how spectroscopic techniques are contributing to its advancement.

A joint French-Canadian study examined the ripening process of commercially popular Comté and cheddar cheeses, which are widely consumed in those countries, utilizing mid-infrared (mid-IR) and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) in their analysis.

This review article explores recent advancements in Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, highlighting its advancing capabilities and applications across diverse scientific disciplines.