Atomic Perspectives: Highlights from Recent Columns

“Atomic Perspectives,” provides tutorials andupdates 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.

Robert Thomas is the atomic perspectives columnists for Spectroscopy. He has had an extensive career in atomic spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, including 24 years for a manufacturer of atomic spectroscopic instrumentation.

Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular Atomic Perspectives columns for our readers. You can view all our Atomic Perspective’s columns here.

Astronomy concept backdrop. Picture of an atom. | Image Credit: © Sergey Nivens - stock.adobe.com

Applications of Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Food and Agricultural Products

In this “Atomic Perspectives” column, the authors, Derek D. Wright, Mark R. Zierden, Stephen Kolomyjec, and Benjamin Southwell, examined recent advances in X-ray optics and detectors have enabled laboratory micro-X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) spectrometers with spot sizes of ~3 to 30 µm, which were previously only available with scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) (1). This technology allows for high-resolution elemental imaging in food and agricultural sciences, enhancing food safety, product consistency, and understanding of elemental uptake in crops (1). µXRF provides detailed insights into food composition, helping to improve nutrition, prevent contamination, and boost crop yields (1). As the technology becomes more accessible, it is expected to drive new research and applications.

The Application of Atomic Spectroscopy Techniques in the Recovery of Critical Raw Materials from Industrial Waste Streams, Part I

This “Atomic Perspectives” column, contributed by Glenna Thomas, a recent PhD graduate from the University of Copenhagen, examined global trends in critical raw materials (CRM) research and the role of atomic spectroscopy (AS) techniques like inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ICP-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and X-ray analysis in CRM identification (2). These methods aid in quantification and method validation in complex matrices with high interference risks (2). The article also explores CRM recovery stages, analytical challenges, and problem-solving tools.

ICP-OES as a Viable Alternative to ICP-MS for Trace Analysis: Meeting the Detection Limits Challenge

In this “Atomic Perspectives” column, Sergei Leikin of Texas Scientific Products and Autumn Phillips of Inorganic Ventures explored the enhanced applicability of ICP-OES with a high-efficiency nebulizer as a cost-effective alternative to ICP-MS for certain applications (3). Although ICP-MS remains the preferred technique of choice for ultratrace element analysis because of its sensitivity, ICP-OES can achieve comparable performance with optimized sample introduction (3). By employing an external impact surface and a non-concentric nebulizer design, ICP-OES demonstrated improved efficiency and robustness (3). Applications in high-purity materials and cannabis analysis highlight its viability for high-throughput fields such as environmental, food, and specialty chemicals, offering a reliable and economical alternative to ICP-MS (3).

Contamination Control During Sample Preparation for Trace Element Analysis of Electronic Cigarette Aerosol with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry, Part 1

In part 1 of this two-part column, the authors explore the factors that affect background contamination in ICP-MS, particularly in ultratrace element analysis of aerosol matrices from electronic cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) (4). Minimizing environmental contamination from trace metals is essential in achieving accurate results because contaminants can impact procedural blanks and result in false positives (4). In this article, the authors focus much of the column on describing best practices spectroscopists can take to reduce contamination, highlighting issues caused by using glass and low-purity quartz in sample collection and preparation (4). Understanding and controlling these factors is crucial for obtaining reliable ICP-MS data in specialty applications (4).

40 Years Old and Still Solving Problems: Evolution of the ICP-MS Application Landscape

This article celebrates the 40th anniversary of the commercialization of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For multielement analysis, ICP-MS is widely used. ICP-MS has also been effective in trace element speciation with liquid chromatography (LC) and nanoparticle monitoring (5). This “Atomic Perspectives” column examines the evolving ICP-MS marketplace, highlighting its rapid growth across industries like semiconductors, biomonitoring, environmental science, food, and pharmaceuticals (5). This column also forecasts the continued growth of the ICP-MS market and projects what future advancements in applications, hardware, and software over the next 5–10 years may look like.

References

1. Wright, D. D.; Zierden, M. R.; Kolomyjec, S.; Southwell, B. Applications of Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Food and Agricultural Products. Spectroscopy 2025, 40 (1), 8–15. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.ux3783k4
2. Thomas, G. The Application of Atomic Spectroscopy Techniques in the Recovery of Critical Raw Materials from Industrial Waste Streams, Part I. Spectroscopy 2024, 39 (4), 8–11. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.nt4688b5
3. Leikin, S.; Phillips, A. ICP-OES as a Viable Alternative to ICP-MS for Trace Analysis: Meeting the Detection Limits Challenge. Spectroscopy 2023, 38 (10), 7–13. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.do3475y9
4. Pappas, R. S.; Gray, N. Contamination Control During Sample Preparation for Trace Element Analysis of Electronic Cigarette Aerosol with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry, Part 1. Spectroscopy 2023, 38 (5), 8–13. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.kj2187f7
5. Thomas, R. 40 Years Old and Still Solving Problems: Evolution of the ICP-MS Application Landscape. Spectroscopy 2023, 38 (3), 8–13. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.ut5582o5