Best of the Week: AI and IoT for Pollution Monitoring, High Speed Laser MS

This week, Spectroscopy published articles highlighting recent studies in several application areas in analytical spectroscopy including environmental analysis and space exploration. Key techniques highlighted in these articles include infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Happy reading!

Celebrate National Space Day with Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy is partnering with the Society for Applied Spectroscopy (SAS) to celebrate National Space Day on May 2 with a special online content series. This upcoming content series will highlight spectroscopy's crucial role in space exploration, including its use in instruments aboard the Hubble and James Webb telescopes, as well as the Mars rovers Perseverance and Curiosity. Spectroscopy enables remote analysis of celestial bodies, helping scientists uncover the chemical composition and atmospheric conditions of planets and stars (1). Techniques like Raman, IR, and mass spectrometry (MS) have advanced the search for life on Mars by identifying key elements and water-formed minerals, driving future discoveries in planetary science (1).

LIBS Illuminates the Hidden Health Risks of Indoor Welding and Soldering

As indoor soldering and welding become more common, scientists in China have developed a rapid air quality monitoring system using LIBS and single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS). These tools detect harmful airborne pollutants like lead, tin, carbon emissions, and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM₁₀) in real time (2). The studies show that rising soldering temperatures increase toxic emissions, with PM_2.5 posing serious health risks because of prolonged exposure (2). Combining LIBS and SPAMS with machine learning (ML) enables detailed pollutant profiling and real-time alerts, offering a faster, non-destructive alternative to traditional air monitoring for safer indoor environments.

Metrohm Announces Grand Opening of Regional Office in Chicago

Metrohm USA has opened a new regional office and laboratory in Lombard, Illinois, to enhance support and service for its Midwest customers. This strategic expansion aims to improve accessibility for industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and environmental testing. The facility features spaces for training, product demos, and industry events, reinforcing Metrohm’s commitment to personalized, collaborative customer support (3). Located near Chicago’s major transportation hubs, the office offers greater convenience and responsiveness. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for April 30 (3). This move underscores Metrohm’s mission to provide innovative, high-quality chemical analysis solutions alongside a human-centered customer experience.

Smarter Sensors, Cleaner Earth Using AI and IoT for Pollution Monitoring

A recent review article published in Frontiers in Environmental Science highlighted how smart technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning (ML), and spectroscopy are improving pollution monitoring. Led by an international team, the study explores how low-cost sensors and AI algorithms enable real-time detection and prediction of air, soil, and water pollutants (4). Spectroscopic techniques, such as vis-NIR and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), play a key role in identifying contaminants, while integrated sensor networks enhance environmental data accuracy (4). Despite challenges like data sharing and model transparency, this review underscores the growing potential of digital tools in advancing sustainable pollution control.

High-Speed Laser MS for Precise, Prep-Free Environmental Particle Tracking

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently demonstrated the effectiveness of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-TOF-MS) for rapid, direct analysis of airborne pollutants. Unlike traditional methods, this technique requires no chemical digestion, offering accurate, high-throughput elemental mapping in under 30 minutes per sample (5). The study, involving intentional ruthenium particle release, showed that LA-ICP-TOF-MS detects and differentiates target and background particles with high precision (5). Compared to quadrupole systems, TOF-MS offers better isotopic accuracy and broader element detection (5). Validated by SEM-EDS, the method holds promise for real-time environmental and public health monitoring of toxic airborne contaminants.

References

1. Wetzel, W. Celebrate National Space Day with Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/celebrate-national-space-day-with-spectroscopy (accessed 2025-04-24).
2. Workman, Jr., J. LIBS Illuminates the Hidden Health Risks of Indoor Welding and Soldering. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/libs-illuminates-the-hidden-health-risks-of-indoor-welding-and-soldering (accessed 2025-04-24).
3. Wetzel, W. Metrohm Announces Grand Opening of Regional Office in Chicago. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/metrohm-announces-grand-opening-of-regional-office-in-chicago (accessed 2025-04-24).
4. Workman, Jr., J. Smarter Sensors, Cleaner Earth Using AI and IoT for Pollution Monitoring. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/smarter-sensors-cleaner-earth-using-ai-and-iot-for-pollution-monitoring (accessed 2025-04-24).
5. Workman, Jr., J. High-Speed Laser MS for Precise, Prep-Free Environmental Particle Tracking. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/high-speed-laser-ms-for-precise-prep-free-environmental-particle-tracking (accessed 2025-04-24).