November 19th 2024
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging contaminants requiring robust analytical techniques for identification and quantification in diverse environmental and biological matrices. This review highlights various spectroscopy methods, such as Raman, FT-IR, NIR, ICP-MS, Fluorescence, X-ray, and NMR detailing their methodologies, sample handling, and applications for characterizing MPs and NPs.
Renewing ATR Spectroscopy: A Breakthrough in Overcoming Contact Challenges
November 14th 2023Luis G. Vieira from Universidade do Minho presents a new method in Applied Spectroscopy to address poor contact issues between the sample and the internal reflection element in attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy, ensuring accurate optical function determination and opening new avenues for precise material analysis
Analysis of Infrared and Raman Imaging Data Using Alternating and Modified Alternating Least Squares
November 1st 2023This study explores the enhanced performance of modified alternating least squares (MALS) over alternating least squares (ALS) in analyzing infrared and Raman image spectral data, highlighting the stability and computational efficiency of MALS.
Mona Lisa's Hidden Secrets: X-ray and Infrared Analyses Reveal Leonardo da Vinci's Palette
October 24th 2023High-resolution X-ray and infrared analyses of a tiny paint fragment from the Mona Lisa's ground layer uncovered Leonardo da Vinci's use of a unique mixture of saponified oil with high lead content, including the presence of the rare compound plumbonacrite, offering new insights into the artistic techniques and materials employed by the master.
Reflections from SciX 2023: Distinguishing Edible Oils with FT-IR
October 10th 2023In the Chemometrics in Food and Agriculture oral symposia today at SciX 2023, Barry Lavine of Oklahoma State University delivered a talk titled, “Authentication of Edible Oils Using an Infrared Spectral Library and Digital Sample Sets for Calibrated and Uncalibrated Adulterants.” Here is a brief reflection of his talk.
Revolutionizing Herbal Product Quality Control: Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy in Focus
September 29th 2023Researchers from Zhejiang University in China have revealed the transformative potential of infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy techniques for rapidly and accurately assessing herb quality and safety, offering a promising path toward intelligent and eco-friendly herb industry development.
Topiramate: A Promising Medication for Alcohol Dependence Explored Through Spectroscopic Analysis
September 13th 2023In a recent study published in Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, two researchers from India studied the molecular composition of topiramate, revealing new insights.
FT-IR as a Determinant of Age and Origin Location of Baltic Amber Beads in Aššur, Iraq
August 29th 2023Fragments of amber beads examined in 2019 showed a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum consistent with Baltic amber, or succinite, suggesting the artifacts came from the Baltic or North Sea regions.
Polaritons and What They Can Do: Talking With 2023 Coblentz Award Winner Wei Xiong
August 16th 2023This year’s recipient of the Coblentz Award, Wei Xiong of the University of California, San Diego, is being honored for his work. Spectroscopy spoke to Xiong about his work and his feelings about receiving this award.