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Since the invention of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in 1982 (1), a family of similar techniques known as scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has developed quickly into a powerful tool for […]

The MEMS acronym, short for micro-electro-mechanical systems, evokes a vision of tiny machines (microsystems) that move. Indeed, a breathtaking array of microfabricated devices already is available commercially, and many more […]

To answer the questions about storage of electronic records, there are two common ways to approach this (apart from deleting them, of course). The first is the BAD (buy another […]

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has already successfully been applied to applications in geology, forensics, ceramics, metals, glasses, and a wide variety of environmental and industrial materials […]

Utilizing the Rigaku ZSX 100e WDXRF Spectrometer, a CCD point analysis was conducted to examine the cause of defects in a paper sample. The paper sample was found faulty due […]

PANalytical has published a white paper describing how its x-ray diffraction (XRD) systems are designed to enable users in the pharmaceutical industry to meet the requirements of the FDA's 21 […]

PANalytical has published a white paper describing how its x-ray diffraction (XRD) systems are designed to enable users in the pharmaceutical industry to meet the requirements of the FDA's 21 […]

PANalytical has published a white paper describing how its X-ray diffraction (XRD) systems are designed to enable users in the pharmaceutical industry to meet the requirements of the FDA's 21 […]

Spectroscopy readers interested in sharing the results of their research with nearly 25,000 other spectroscopists are encouraged to submit manuscripts for review and possible publication. Spectroscopy publishes articles dealing with […]

The 2004 editorial line-up for Spectroscopy (Volume 18) is currently in the planning stages. Readers interested in sharing the results of their research with nearly 25,000 other spectroscopists are encouraged […]

The CETAC LSX-500 Laser Ablation System is suitable for trace element microanalysis of virtually any solid sample. Here we describe the use of the LSX-500 for elemental analysis of inks […]

The 2003 editorial line-up for Spectroscopy (Volume 18) is currently in the planning stages. Readers interested in sharing the results of their research with nearly 25,000 other spectroscopists are encouraged […]

Two technical papers recognized as significant early contributions in the discussion of the limitations of analytical accuracy and uncertainty include those by Horwitz of the U.S. FDA (1,2). For this […]

This paper describes how scientists at an environmental and geochemical laboratory utilize dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS technology to study the transport and deposition of the full suite of important trace […]

Researchers with the Mazur Group, Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts) recently published a paper in BMC Neuroscience on nanoneurosurgery using femtosecond lasers. The paper explains how these lasers can be used […]

-- XTM5014 on-line silicone coatweight analyzer: Uses EDXRF to measure silicone coats on films, papers, and polymers. Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments. -- MDX 1060/1080+ spectrometers: Come with […]

In the beginning was paper, and life was simple. Then there was Part 11. What constitutes electronic records for spectrometers in the light of 21 CFR 11 regulations? Why do […]

The Pittsburgh Conference (Pittsburgh, PA) released the Call for Papers for the 59th annual Pittcon Conference and Exposition. Pittcon 2008 will be held March 1-7, 2008, at the Ernest N. […]

HORIBA Jobin Yvon (Edison, New Jersey) announces its third Glow Discharge (GD) Day on Friday, September 29, 2006. With exponential increase of surface science-related papers, recently published books, dedicated PhD […]

Mitchell Dobberpuhl, a senior at South Dakota State University (Sioux Falls), was recently one of 10 students to receive Schultz-Werth Awards for his research paper on the use of solid-phase […]

Cecil Instruments introduces the ReflectaScan reflectance spectrophotometer for reflectance and transmittance applications. Features include a 190-1000 nm range; sampling of film coatings, lenses, powders, liquids, paper, sheet metal etc.; software […]

Newport Corporation (Irvine, CA) has announced a new series of travel awards totaling $10,000 for students presenting papers at the two largest meetings of The International Society for Optical Engineering […]

Shimadzu Biotech (Pleasanton, CA) has launched www.shimadzubiotech.net, an applications-driven web site. Designed for life scientists, the site includes product overviews, oral and poster presentations and papers, and application notes, all […]

Group theory is the field of mathematics that includes, among other things, the treatment of symmetry. Well, it turns out that molecules have symmetry, so group theoretical principles can be […]

The silicon drift detector energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SDD-EDS) system offers revolutionary improvements over the classic Si(Li)-EDS for mapping the compositional microstructure of matter with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For […]

United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) general chapter 1058 on analytical instrument qualification (AIQ) has finally become official and was released in August 2008 in the first supplement to the USP XXXI […]

Gary D. Christian of the University of Washington organized a symposium titled "Evolution of Analytical Sciences in the United States" for the Fall 2008 meeting of the American Chemical Society. […]

As a branch of science, spectroscopy is inherently quantitative. Quantities have two parts: numerical values and units. I will assume that everyone knows what numbers are (although a future column […]

Although spectral lines had been observed since the early years of the 19th century, it wasn't until 1860 that Kirchhoff and Bunsen established them as unique to each element. In […]

Traditionally, members of some professions receive specific training in ethics. For example, the professions of law and medicine provide extensive continual programs in ethical training, with emphasis on the situations […]

There are many choices for components that constitute the "front end" of an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometer, including a number of developments over the past several years. In this […]

The process of chemical analysis consists of several steps, beginning with the taking of the sample and followed by sample preparation. The sample is subjected to the analytical method and […]

Biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol are now the main alternatives to fossil fuels in one of the most pollutant human activities: transportation. Presently, feedstocks for biofuels production are all […]

Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) offers countless user benefits, including real-time data, multicomponent analysis, and compatibility with automated sampling and microsampling techniques. Types of IR microscope measurement techniques include transmission, reflection, […]

In the third installment in this five-part series on quantitative mass spectrometry (MS), we discussed, in simple terms, the use of a linear regression curve to establish the proportionality between […]

Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen discovered the existence of X- rays in 1895, for which he received the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901. His discovery was one of those that […]

The topic of this column is the role and content of a validation master plan (VMP). I want to discuss where it can be used within the analytical laboratory to […]

Part II of this series ("Follow the Money") described many of the miniature optical technologies that were developed as a result of the telecommunications boom (1), and Part III covered […]

In Part I of this series, we examined recently developed miniature mid-infrared spectrometers (1). In Part II, we surveyed micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS), and some of […]

In Part I of this series (1), I laid the groundwork for why the scientific understanding of nature in the late 19th century was found wanting: it could not explain […]

There are straightforward motivations for miniaturizing an optical spectrometer. If an instrument can be made smaller, it often will also consume less power, enabling it to be portable and eventually […]

"Mass Spectrometry Forum" columns focus on the basics of mass spectrometry (MS), and therefore often delve into the tools of the trade: MS instruments and hardware. The columns often begin […]

By using a novel mid-infrared (MIR) laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) probe, biochemicals and inorganic alkali metal salts produced emissions in the MIR (2-5.75 [micro]m) region from atomic and oxygenated molecular […]

In May 2007, the FDA released the final version of a guidance document that many of you are unaware of: Computerized Systems Used in Clinical Investigations (1). So, what is […]

The biological process of germination in wheat is accompanied by localized chemical distribution of lipid and protein, particularly within the germ area of the kernel. As the embryo develops, it […]

After a brief introduction into the use and requirement for near-infrared wavelength references, this article compares three regulatory standards and then reviews currently available materials. Reference types discussed include gas […]

The potential utility of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as a means to detect biological contaminants on painted surfaces is investigated. Issues involving the use of LIBS for detection of biologicals […]

This column discusses the use of audit trails in the software applications used to control spectrometers that acquire, interpret, and report results from analyses. In part, this has been driven […]

Each column in "Mass Spectrometry Forum" follows a stick-to-the-basics approach so that it can be used as a stand-alone introduction for the topic. Column content doesn't become overly dated, even […]

In this investigation we assess the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a tool for probing conformational changes in membrane-spanning proteins--in this case, the sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase ([Na.sup.+],[K.sup.+]-ATPase). Spectral analysis […]