Pittcon Preview: Atomic Spectroscopy Sessions on Sunday

Pittcon 2026 in San Antonio is shaping up to be an important conference for spectroscopists. From atomic spectroscopy to developments in Raman spectroscopy, there are an extensive list of talks scheduled for the conference that cover some of the latest trends and developments in spectroscopic instrumentation and methods.

In this article, we highlight some of the important talks on atomic spectroscopy that will take place at Pittcon on Sunday March 8^th.

The first talk, which will be delivered by Seth Kenkel of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is titled, “Innovations in Null-Deflection Scanning Probe Infrared (NDIR) Imaging for High-Sensitivity, High-Resolution Molecular Analysis.”¹ In his talk, Kenkel will analyze physical distortions in nanoscale IR imaging that limit quantitative molecular interpretation.¹ Kenkel’s talk will take place from 8:30 to 8:50 am on March 8^th in Room 302C.

Second, Robert Bradley of Milestone Inc. will deliver a talk titled, “Tackling PFAS Extraction for Solid Matrices with Microwave Technology,” from 10:20 to 10:40 am on March 8^th in Room 303C.² In his talk, Bradley will discuss microwave-based PFAS extraction from soils, biosolids, tissues, and consumer goods, emphasizing faster workflows, improved contamination control, and fewer manual steps.²

In the afternoon, several talks in atomic spectroscopy will take place. The first of these talks, which will take place from 2:30 to 2:50 pm in Room 302A, is titled, “Standalone Optical Emission Spectroscopy for Trace Analysis of Synthetic Vitreous Fiber Solutes in Simulated Lung Fluids: Building a Platform for Sustainable Innovation.”³ Delivered by Alex Grooms of Owens Corning, the talk will describe a novel inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) method to quantify trace inorganic solutes from synthetic vitreous fibers dissolved in simulated lung fluids, overcoming high-saline, surfactant-rich matrix interference and enabling sensitive measurements needed for reliable in vivo/in vitro dissolution and exposure correlations studies.³

Next, from 2:50 to 3:10 pm, Heather Kessler, a senior technician in Owens Corning, will deliver a talk titled, “Simulated Gastrointestinal Dissolution of Synthetic Vitreous Fibers: A Preliminary Study Using USP Apparatus 4.”⁴ Kessler’s talk will present a novel use of USP Apparatus 4 dissolution technology to simulate gastrointestinal conditions and assess dissolution of synthetic vitreous fibers.⁴

Then, from 3:10 to 3:30 pm in Room 221D, Vivek Kumar Singh of the University of Lucknow will deliver a talk titled, “Spectroscopic Analysis and Discrimination of Root-Knot Infested Pea-Root Plant Using FTIR, LIBS in Combination with KNN Modelling, and WDXRF Methods.”⁵ Singh’s talk will examine pea-root crop losses from nematode infection using microscopy and spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV-vis) revealed structural changes, while wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) provided elemental profiles. LIBS with kernel neural network (KNN) modeling discriminated healthy from infected roots via emission peaks, demonstrating a rapid, cost-effective field method requiring minimal sample preparation.

And finally, from 4:40 to 5:00 pm, Matthieu Baudelet of the University of Central Florida will deliver a talk titled, “Elemental Profiling of Tire Rubber in Traffic Homicide Cases: A New Forensic Trace Evidence.”⁶ Baudelet’s talk will discuss using elemental profiling of tire rubber particles as a forensic tool for hit-and-run investigations. By analyzing trace elements unique to tire formulations, researchers can link tire marks to specific manufacturers and models.⁶ This talk will take place in Room 225B.

References

1. Pittcon, Innovations in Null-Deflection Scanning Probe Infrared (NDIR) Imaging for High-Sensitivity, High-Resolution Molecular Analysis. Pittcon. Available at: https://app.swapcard.com/event/pittcon-2026/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfNDMwMzg5NA== (accessed 2026-02-12).
2. Pittcon, Tackling PFAS Extraction for Solid Matrices with Microwave Technology. Pittcon. Available at: https://app.swapcard.com/event/pittcon-2026/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfNDMwNjQ2MA== (accessed 2026-02-12).
3. Pittcon, Standalone Optical Emission Spectroscopy for Trace Analysis of Synthetic Vitreous Fiber Solutes in Simulated Lung Fluids: Building a Platform for Sustainable Innovation. Pittcon. Available at: https://app.swapcard.com/event/pittcon-2026/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfNDI4ODEzNw== (accessed 2026-02-12).
4. Pittcon, Simulated Gastrointestinal Dissolution of Synthetic Vitreous Fibers: A Preliminary Study Using USP Apparatus 4. Pittcon. Available at: https://app.swapcard.com/event/pittcon-2026/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfNDI4ODMyNg== (accessed 2026-02-12).
5. Pittcon, Spectroscopic Analysis and Discrimination of Root-Knot Infested Pea-Root Plant Using FTIR, LIBS in Combination with KNN Modelling, and WDXRF Methods. Pittcon. Available at: https://app.swapcard.com/event/pittcon-2026/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfNDMwMzg1NA== (accessed 2026-02-12).
6. Pittcon, Elemental Profiling of Tire Rubber in Traffic Homicide Cases: A New Forensic Trace Evidence. Pittcon. Available at: https://app.swapcard.com/event/pittcon-2026/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfNDMwMzQ0Mg== (accessed 2026-02-12).