Molecular Spectroscopy

This Icons of Spectroscopy Series article features E. Bright Wilson, a pioneer of chemical physics. Wilson’s contributions to infrared, Raman, and microwave spectroscopy provided the theoretical and practical foundation for analyzing molecular structure and dynamics. As a revered professor at Harvard and coauthor of landmark texts, he mentored nearly 150 students and researchers, leaving a lasting legacy of scientific excellence and integrity.

In this column, we will describe what is known about the structures of these materials and how Raman spectroscopy can characterize them.

A research team from Putian University has developed a dual surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) approach to reveal detailed molecular changes in E. coli exposed to different antibiotics.

Researchers at Jiangnan University have developed a highly accurate method combining Raman spectroscopy with deep learning to monitor acid value in palm oil.

Researchers from Université de Montréal have demonstrated that a new handheld Raman spectroscopy device, the UltraProbe, can accurately and rapidly detect retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas during surgery, offering real-time tissue analysis that could improve surgical outcomes.

A recent study demonstrated that portable Raman spectroscopy, combined with advanced statistical modeling, offers a reliable, non-destructive method for monitoring nitrate levels in greenhouse-grown spinach.

Top articles published this week include a feature article about big pharma’s investments in U.S.-based manufacturing, an article about the 2025 Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy Lingyan Shi, and some news items detailing the winners of the Coblentz Society’s student awards.

This study presents a new system that enables the precise detection of glucose, choline, and lactate without traditional labels or antibodies.

A recent study unveiled a new adaptive Raman spectroscopy and transformer-based model for fast, high-accuracy microbial classification.

A compilation of articles that explore the role of Raman spectroscopy in cancer research is presented.

Researchers at Heilongjiang University have developed a rapid and accurate method for detecting sweeteners in food using Raman spectroscopy combined with a Random Forest machine learning algorithm, offering a powerful tool for improving food safety.

A recent study reports high-purity blue emission and thermal stability in novel lanthanum (III) complex synthesized via low-energy precipitation method.

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

Researchers from the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) in Catalunya, Spain used fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy to explore complex tissue changes behind wooden breast myopathy in chickens.

In an announcement on June 12, Rigaku Analytical Devices, which is a division of Rigaku Holdings Corporation headquartered in Akishima, Tokyo, announced the launch of its Icon series of 1064-nm Raman analyzers, its fourth-generation of the instrument.

Researchers use EC-SERS to reveal the first detailed structural study of hU-II peptide in aqueous solution, paving the way for new drug development.

Researchers at McGill University have developed a fast, eco-friendly method using portable Raman spectroscopy and deep learning to accurately assess the antioxidant content of maple syrup on-site.

Researchers at Guangdong University of Technology have developed a fast, non-destructive Raman spectroscopy method to accurately detect active ingredients in complex drug formulations.

A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports reveals that a multi-headed snake motif at Argentina's La Candelaria rock shelter was created through multiple painting events over time.

The 78th International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy (ISMS) is set to take place this year from June 23rd to 27th, 2025. Here is what attendees can expect.

Researchers at Qiqihar Medical University have developed a dual-channel fluorescent probe, PYL-NBD, that enables highly sensitive, rapid, and selective detection of biothiols in food, pharmaceuticals, and living organisms.

A new study published in Spectrochimica Acta Part A by Dominik Heger and colleagues at Masaryk University reveals that phenol's photophysical properties change significantly when frozen, potentially enabling its breakdown by sunlight in icy environments.

A recent study demonstrated the utility of Raman spectroscopy and machine learning (ML) algorithms to classify plastic types found in waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) streams.

A recent study by Southeast University researchers presented a cost-effective, high-accuracy solution for pharmaceutical quality control.