Mineral Analysis with Handheld LIBS

A new dual-spectroscopy approach reveals real-time pollution threats in indoor workspaces. Chinese researchers have pioneered the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and aerosol mass spectrometry to uncover and monitor harmful heavy metal and dust emissions from soldering and welding in real-time. These complementary tools offer a fast, accurate means to evaluate air quality threats in industrial and indoor environments—where people spend most of their time.

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy and Jeonbuk National University presented a novel technique for analyzing lithium isotopes in liquid samples.

A new study in Icarus by Fabian Seel and colleagues at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) reveals how atmospheric conditions significantly impact LIBS plasma behavior.

This month’s column investigates the elemental composition of electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

A research team from China has developed a portable LIBS device integrated with machine learning to achieve improved accuracy in rapid, in situ rock classification for geological exploration and petroleum logging.

“Atomic Perspectives,” provides tutorials and updates on new analytical atomic spectroscopy techniques in a broad range of applications, including environmental analysis, food and beverage analysis, and space exploration, to name a few. Here, we present a compilation of some of the most popular columns.