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 week, Spectroscopy published various articles that covered many topics in analytical spectroscopy. This week’s articles touch upon several important application areas such as environmental analysis and atomic spectroscopy. Several key techniques are highlighted, including laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR). Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular articles, according to our readers and subscribers. Happy reading!
Evaluation and Development Trends of Optical Detection Technology for Seed Vigor
This peer-reviewed article reviews advancements in optical technology for assessing seed vigor, a critical factor in field production that encompasses germination rate, potential, and vitality index. Traditional methods for measuring seed vitality are labor-intensive and prone to human error, prompting the rise of optical techniques offering high precision, efficiency, and frequency (1). The article explores the principles, benefits, and limitations of various optical methods, focusing on non-destructive single-seed detection (1). It also analyzes current trends in optical detection, including seed characteristic spectrum databases, intelligent sorting, and grading equipment.
Flower Classification Using LIBS Combined with PCA Chemometrics
This peer-reviewed study applied LIBS with principal component analysis (PCA) to classify flower species, enhancing their appreciation and application. Flowers with similar colors or shapes were analyzed by directing laser pulses to form plasma, collecting light, and identifying surface materials (2). LIBS produced spectral data for 240 samples, focusing on intensity ratios of six elements (Na, Mg, Al, K, Si, Ca). Dimensionality reduction using PCA compressed the data, enabling effective clustering and database creation. A template matching model (TMM) trained with this data achieved 97% classification accuracy, demonstrating the potential of LIBS and PCA for accurate flower identification (2).
Benjamin T. Manard Honored as the 2025 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy magazine awarded Benjamin T. Manard, a Research Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the 2025 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award for his work in nuclear material characterization and isotope ratio analysis. Manard’s research, leveraging techniques like inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), ICP–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and laser ablation, has significantly advanced nuclear forensics and environmental monitoring (3). Notably, he developed a tandem method combining laser ablation–ICP-MS and LIBS for uranium particle analysis. With over 40 publications and an h-index of 24, Manard’s contributions are widely recognized. He will deliver a keynote at the European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry in March 2025 (3).
Do We Qualify or Validate a Spectrometer?
In this “Focus on Quality” column published in the latest print issue of Spectroscopy, Mahboubeh Lotfinia and R. D. McDowall critically examine the regulatory divide between analytical instrument qualification and computerized system validation. They review the guidelines outlined in the World Health Organization Technical Report Series (WHO TRS) 1019 Annex 3, focusing on their applicability to spectrometer systems (4). The column highlights the need for a unified approach to ensure spectrometers are fit for their intended use while addressing both qualification and validation requirements, providing insights into improving compliance and operational efficiency in analytical laboratories (4).
Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPLs) are pervasive pollutants increasingly detected in food and beverages, raising health concerns. A recent study in Chemosphere investigated MNPL release from polymer-based teabags made of nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose, using advanced techniques like scanning electron microscope (SEM), TEM, and NTA (5). The findings underscore the need for standardized methods to evaluate MNPL toxicity and inform policies to reduce plastic contamination (5).
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Drone-Mounted Infrared Camera Sees Invisible Methane Leaks in Real Time
July 9th 2025Researchers in Scotland have developed a drone-mounted infrared imaging system that can detect and map methane gas leaks in real time from up to 13.6 meters away. The innovative approach combines laser spectroscopy with infrared imaging, offering a safer and more efficient tool for monitoring pipeline leaks and greenhouse gas emissions.
How Spectroscopy Drones Are Detecting Hidden Crop Threats in China’s Soybean Fields
July 8th 2025Researchers in Northeast China have demonstrated a new approach using drone-mounted multispectral imaging to monitor and predict soybean bacterial blight disease, offering a promising tool for early detection and yield protection.
Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry: A New Dimension of LIBS
July 5th 2012Part of a new podcast series presented in collaboration with the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (FACSS), in connection with SciX 2012 — the Great Scientific Exchange, the North American conference (39th Annual) of FACSS.
Advancing Deep Soil Moisture Monitoring with AI-Powered Spectroscopy Drones
July 7th 2025A Virginia Tech study has combined drone-mounted NIR hyperspectral imaging (400 nm to 1100 nm) and AI to estimate soil moisture at root depths with remarkable accuracy, paving the way for smarter irrigation and resilient farming.