X-Ray Fluorescence and the Pharmaceutical Industry: Implementing an Age-Old Technique
Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) has for decades been widely implemented in quality control for many industries including, steel and alloy production, cement, plastics, glass, food, oil exploration and refining. It has been shown to be a highly stable, simple to operate, and reliable technique. In this podcast we will discuss the use of WDXRF, a direct analysis technique for the detection and quantification of elements/composition and elemental impurities in pharmaceuticals. On-going testing among various pharmaceutical companies has shown that it can be used to demonstrate compliance with regulations, such as ICH-Q3D and USP 232/233. However, this technique has not been fully exploited within this industry. Furthermore, we will discuss the ability to analyze final product as unadulterated pills in a non-destructive analysis.
PNNL and BaySpec Launch Compact Mass Spectrometry System for Rapid Narcotics Detection
July 8th 2025The U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) VaporID, which is a newly developed portable air sampling system incorporating a miniaturized mass spectrometer (MS), can detect trace levels of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and even explosives like TNT with great accuracy.
Radar and Soil Spectroscopy Boost Soil Carbon Predictions in Brazil’s Semi-Arid Regions
July 7th 2025A new study published in Geoderma demonstrates that combining soil spectroscopy with radar-derived vegetation indices and environmental data significantly improves the accuracy of soil organic carbon predictions in Brazil’s semi-arid regions.
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.
