Year in Review: The Latest in Raman Spectroscopy

This year-in-review showcases the standout technical articles, compelling interviews, and key news stories that defined the pages of Spectroscopy. In this year in review, the editors of Spectroscopy highlight some of the top published technical articles, interviews, and news content published.

Raman spectroscopy is a popular analytical technique that is used in many different application areas, including biopharmaceutical analysis, agriculture, forensic analysis, and environmental analysis. Raman spectroscopy provides detailed information about molecular vibrations, chemical composition, and structure. Its non-destructive nature and capability to analyze samples with minimal preparation make it a versatile tool for both research and industrial purposes.

Below is a compilation of the top articles published this year on Raman spectroscopy, according to our readers and subscribers. Happy reading!

The Raman Issue

By The Editors of Spectroscopy

This issue of spectroscopy highlighted the latest technology and advancements in Raman spectroscopy.

Portable and Wearable Spectrometers in Our Future

By Jerome Workman, Jr.

This article reviews recent advances in handheld, portable, and wearable spectrometers, highlighting their evolution from bulky laboratory instruments to compact, on-site analytical tools. These miniaturized devices enable real-time applications across various industries, including healthcare and environmental monitoring (1). This article highlighted the developments and reviewed the practical uses of these devices, as well as preview what we can expect in the future (1).

Ellis Ridgeway Lippincott: A Legacy of Scientific Innovation

By Jerome Workman, Jr

Ellis R. Lippincott is one of the most influential spectroscopists of the past 100 years. He has been a notable research figure in molecular spectra and structure studies using infrared and Raman spectroscopy; in the study of potential energy functions, including hydrogen bonding; and in the invention and study of high-pressure spectroscopic studies using the high-pressure diamond anvil cell (2). He also has applied spectroscopic techniques and analysis to the study of planetary atmospheres, to biochemistry, and to chemical lasers (2).

How the New Jersey State Police Are Using FT-IR and Raman Spectroscopy

By Caroline Hroncich

There is an ongoing push for more handheld and portable instrumentation. Forensic analysts have been able to take advantage of this trend, using portable Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectrometers to detect hazardous materials at crime scenes.

The New Jersey State Police’s Hazardous Materials Response Unit trains officers to identify substances like fentanyl, aiming to prevent overdoses and protect public and officer safety (3). In this Q&A interview, Detective Sergeant Pakorn Patimetha highlighted how these technologies play a crucial role in addressing the opioid crisis, which caused over 81,000 deaths in 2022 (3).

Applying Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Paint Analysis

By Jerome Workman, Jr

In this Q&A, executive editor Jerome Workman Jr. interviewed Barry Lavine, who is a regents professor from The Department of Chemistry at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, who discussed about his work using infrared (IR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy in forensic paint analysis (4).

A Review of the Latest Spectroscopic Research in Agriculture Analysis

By Jerome Workman, Jr

This review article highlighted advancements in spectroscopic techniques, such as atomic, vibrational, molecular, electronic, and X-ray methods, and how these advancements are improving agricultural analysis. These tools are essential for detecting quality parameters, adulteration, infestation, and ripening in agricultural products, offering critical insights into food safety and quality control (5).

Evaluating a Multilayer Polymer Film by Raman Microscopy

By Fran Adar

In this “Molecular Spectroscopy Workbench” column, columnist Fran Adar explored using confocal Raman microscopy for the non-destructive analysis of multilayer polymer films, providing sub-micrometer optical resolution below sample surfaces (6). The article highlighted the challenges in maintaining focus within materials because of refractive index variations and examines the accuracy of depth profiles compared to two-dimensional (2D) cross-sectional maps (6). By analyzing a film's cross-section, the article validated the reliability of depth profile measurements for troubleshooting and reverse-engineering polymer compositions effectively (6).

Real-Time Chemometric Analysis of Multicomponent Bioprocesses Using Raman Spectroscopy

By Joerg Weber, Andreas Latza, Oleg Ryabchykov, Oliver Valet, Darina Storozhuk, Cicely Rathmell, Dieter Bingemann, David Creasey

This study demonstrated the potential of a portable Raman spectrometer combined with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chemometric software for real-time monitoring of bioprocesses. Using a glycerol-fed E. coli bioprocess, the researchers showed how Raman spectroscopy was able to provide rapid, non-invasive predictions of feedstock, API, and side product concentrations (7). This approach enabled continuous process control in pharmaceutical and food production, making advanced spectroscopic monitoring accessible to non-expert users (7).

Monitoring Chemical Changes by Raman Spectroscopy

By Fran Adar

In this “Molecular Spectroscopy Workbench” column, columnist Fran Adar highlighted the use of Raman spectroscopy to monitor polymerization reactions in real time, focusing on the loss of carbon double bonds as polymer chains grow (8). With strong signals from π electrons, Raman spectroscopy effectively tracks reactions to completion. Using the curing process of a commercial epoxy as a safer demonstration, the article showcases chemical and spectral changes, emphasizing the technique’s value in studying polymerization dynamics (8).

Reviewing the Impact of Raman Spectroscopy on Crop Quality Assessment: An Interview with Miri Park

By Will Wetzel

Raman spectroscopy is a nondestructive technique widely used in crop analysis for assessing chemical composition, including pigments, nutrients, and structural components. It aids in evaluating crop quality, maturity, and disease status, enabling early detection of stressors like nutrient deficiencies or pathogens (9). In this Q&A, Miri Park from the Fraunhofer Institute talked about how Raman spectroscopy can conduct non-destructive sensing in agriculture, focusing on micro-Raman spectroscopy's role in studying secondary metabolites and proposing future research for broader agricultural applications (9).

Analyzing Nanoplastics: An Interview with Scientists from the Columbia University’s Climate School

By Caroline Hroncich

Nanoplastics, hazardous to human health, are understudied compared to microplastics. Columbia University researchers, led by Naixin Qian, developed a novel method using stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy to analyze nanoplastics in bottled water (10). In this Q&A, Qian discussed the effectiveness of SRS microscopy in rapidly detecting 240,000 plastic fragments per bottle (10). Leveraging SRS, commonly used in medical imaging, the study the Columbia University researchers conducted advances understanding and detection of nanoplastics in environmental samples.

Raman Spectroscopy to Detect Traumatic Brain Injuries: An Interview with Pola Goldberg Oppenheimer

By Aaron Acevedo

Researchers at the University of Birmingham, led by Pola Goldberg Oppenheimer, are advancing point-of-care diagnostics for early-stage traumatic brain injury (TBI) using Raman spectroscopy and fundus imaging of the neuroretina. With TBIs affecting over 135 million people globally and often presenting no early symptoms, this innovative approach aims to improve early detection and treatment (11). In this Q&A, Goldberg Oppenheimer discussed the study’s potential and the need for further advancements in TBI diagnostics (11).

References

1. Workman, Jr., J. Portable and Wearable Spectrometers in Our Future. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/portable-and-wearable-spectrometers-in-our-future (accessed 2024-12-04).
2. Workman, Jr., J. Ellis Ridgeway Lippincott: A Legacy of Scientific Innovation. Spectroscopy 2024, 39 (5), 40–44. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.ky8184w3
3. Hroncich, C. How the New Jersey State Police Are Using FT-IR and Raman Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/new-jersey-state-police-are-using-ft-ir-and-raman-spectroscopy (accessed 2024-12-04).
4. Workman, Jr., J. Applying Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Paint Analysis. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/applying-raman-and-infrared-spectroscopy-in-forensic-paint-analysis (accessed 2024-12-04).
5. Workman, Jr., J. A Review of the Latest Spectroscopic Research in Agriculture Analysis. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/a-review-of-the-latest-spectroscopic-research-in-agriculture-analysis (accessed 2024-12-04).
6. Adar, F. Evaluating a Multilayer Polymer Film by Raman Microscopy. Spectroscopy 2024, 39 (5), 8–13. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.kx2574a8
7. Weber, J.; Latza, A.; Ryabchykov, O.; et al. Real-Time Chemometric Analysis of Multicomponent Bioprocesses Using Raman Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy 2024, 39 (5), 14–22. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.eo3187v4
8. Adar, F. Monitoring Chemical Changes by Raman Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy 2024, 39 (2), 8–10. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.ia6269u7
9. Wetzel, W. Reviewing the Impact of Raman Spectroscopy on Crop Quality Assessment: An Interview with Miri Park. Spectroscopy Suppl. 2024, 39 (s2), 28–31. https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/reviewing-the-impact-of-raman-spectroscopy-on-crop-quality-assessment-an-interview-with-miri-park
10. Hroncich, C. Analyzing Nanoplastics: An Interview with Scientists from the Columbia University’s Climate School. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/analyzing-nanoplastics-columbia-university-climate-school (accessed 2024-12-04).
11. Acevedo, A. Raman Spectroscopy to Detect Traumatic Brain Injuries: An Interview with Pola Goldberg Oppenheimer. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/raman-spectroscopy-to-detect-traumatic-brain-injuries-an-interview-with-pola-goldberg-oppenheimer (accessed 2024-12-04).