Best of the Week: National Space Day, Battery Analysis

This week, Spectroscopy published articles highlighting recent studies in several application areas in analytical spectroscopy including space exploration, environmental analysis, and battery analysis. Key techniques highlighted in these articles include near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Happy reading!

Inside the Laboratory: The Weker Group at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

In the latest edition of “Inside the Laboratory,” we profile the Weker Group at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Johanna Weker, who is the lead investigator of the Weker group at Stanford University, sits down with Spectroscopy to talk about her laboratory group’s work in battery analysis (1). In the first part of this four-part interview, Weker talks about her laboratory’s use of synchrotron-based X-ray tools to complex, dynamic systems in operando (1). She explains in this video how these tools uncover failure mechanisms in materials like batteries or electrolyzers.

The Role of LIBS and Mass Spectrometry in Planetary Exploration: An Interview with Kelsey Williams, Part I

Today is National Space Day. This day recognizes the accomplishments in the field of space exploration and to further scientific education. In honor of National Space Day, Spectroscopy partnered with the Society for Applied Spectroscopy to spotlight current researchers who are using spectroscopic techniques and instrumentation in their work to further space exploration applications. One of those researchers is Kelsey Williams, who is a postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) working on planetary instrumentation using spectroscopic techniques such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry (LAMIS) (2). In Part I of our interview with Williams, she discusses how her background led her to her current position at LANL (2).

Exploring the Advantages of High-Resolution Cavity-Enhanced FTMW Spectroscopy

Continuing our coverage of National Space Day, Spectroscopy associate editorial director Caroline Hroncich sat down with Gabi Wenzel, a visiting scientist at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard and Smithsonian, who uses high-resolution cavity-enhanced Fourier Transform microwave (FTMW) spectroscopy to study cosmic molecules. In this interview, Wenzel highlights how this technique, along with the compact chirped-pulse FTMW spectrometer she developed at MIT, provides unique insights into molecular structures in space (3). Wenzel earned her PhD at IRAP in France, where she explored how polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) interact with UV and IR light (3).

How Satellite-Based Spectroscopy is Transforming Inland Water Quality Monitoring

A recent review article written by a team of researchers in China highlights how satellite-based remote sensing is transforming inland water quality monitoring. Using multispectral and hyperspectral imaging, satellites like Sentinel-2, Landsat 8/9, MODIS, and VIIRS can detect key water indicators such as chlorophyll-a, suspended solids, and chemical pollutants (4). Spectroscopic analysis of reflected light enables near-real-time environmental insights and pollution tracking (4). The study also explores atmospheric correction challenges and calls for improved models for complex waters. With more than 2800 papers published since 2000, remote sensing research is booming, offering scalable tools to monitor pollution, assess climate impacts, and support sustainable water management worldwide (4).

AI and Satellite Spectroscopy Team Up to Monitor Urban River Pollution in China

Researchers in China have developed a new method for monitoring urban river pollution by integrating Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, land use data, weather variables, and machine learning (5). Focusing on the Weihe River Basin, the study accurately predicted key water quality parameters, which include NH₃-N, TP, COD, and DO, using models like XGBoost and ETR (5). The high-resolution multispectral data from Sentinel-2, combined with land use and meteorological inputs, enhanced predictive accuracy, especially for non-optically active pollutants (5). This scalable, cost-effective approach offers a valuable tool for environmental monitoring and policymaking, supporting broader applications in sustainable water resource management.

References

1. Wetzel, W. Inside the Laboratory: The Weker Group at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/inside-the-laboratory-the-weker-group-at-slac-national-accelerator-laboratory (accessed 2025-04-30).
2. Wetzel, W. The Role of LIBS and Mass Spectrometry in Planetary Exploration: An Interview with Kelsey Williams, Part I. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-role-of-libs-and-mass-spectrometry-in-planetary-exploration-an-interview-with-kelsey-williams-part-i (accessed 2025-04-30).
3. Hroncich, C. Exploring the Advantages of High-Resolution Cavity-Enhanced FTMW Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/exploring-the-advantages-of-high-resolution-cavity-enhanced-ftmw-spectroscopy (accessed 2025-04-30).
4. Workman, Jr., J. How Satellite-Based Spectroscopy is Transforming Inland Water Quality Monitoring. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/how-satellite-based-spectroscopy-is-transforming-inland-water-quality-monitoring (accessed 2025-04-30).
5. Workman, Jr., J. AI and Satellite Spectroscopy Team Up to Monitor Urban River Pollution in China. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/ai-and-satellite-spectroscopy-team-up-to-monitor-urban-river-pollution-in-china (accessed 2025-04-30).