Researchers in Thailand have developed a cost-effective standoff Raman spectroscopy system using a night-vision intensified spectrometer and digital correction algorithms. The system reliably detects chemical compounds at distances up to 60 meters with high spectral resolution.

Spectroscopy spoke to Steven Bell, corresponding author of a paper revealing that aromatic molecules adsorb strongly onto Ag and Au nanoparticles via π-metal interactions under ambient conditions, using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). This overturns the prior belief that such interactions are weak for IB metals like Ag and Au. Bell will receive the 2025 Charles Mann Award, awarded for outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences in the area of analytical chemistry.

In this tutorial article, Yukihiro Ozaki explores the recent advancements and broadening applications of tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS), a cutting-edge technique that integrates scanning probe microscopy (SPM) with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). TERS enables highly localized chemical analysis at the nano- to subnano-scale, achieving spatial resolution well beyond the diffraction limit of light. Ozaki highlights the versatility of TERS in various experimental environments—ranging from ambient air to ultrahigh vacuum and electrochemical systems—and its powerful utility in fields such as single-molecule detection, biomolecular mechanism studies, nanomaterial characterization, and high-resolution imaging.

Top articles published this week include an interview with 2025 Clara Craver Award recipient Prashant Jain, an Icons of Spectroscopy column on Bruce R. Kowalski, and an interview with Pooja Sheevam about quantifying mineral basalts in the Hawaiian PTA-2 drill core.

In the final part of this video interview with Pooja Sheevam, she discusses the importance of her study in understanding the mineralogical and geochemical processes in Hawaii.

Researchers from Tianjin Agricultural University, Nankai University, and Zhejiang A&F University have developed a highly accurate method using near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning to rapidly detect and classify microplastics in chicken feed.

Raman spectroscopy emerges as a powerful tool for quantifying adenine in nucleic acid therapeutics, enhancing analytical efficiency and quality assessment.

Explore advancements in infrared spectroscopy and insights from Brian Smith, a key columnist, on the future of this evolving field.

Explore the evolution of atomic spectroscopy and its impact on science writing, highlighting key publications and industry advancements over the decades.

Explore the evolution of chemometrics in spectroscopy, celebrating 40 years of insights and mathematical exploration in this dynamic field.

In Part IV of our conversation with Pooja Sheevam, she discusses how scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and bulk X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were used to better understand fluid-rock interactions.

Researchers at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and Université catholique de Louvain have demonstrated how diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) in the 900 nm to 1100 nm range can non-destructively assess powder blend homogeneity in metal additive manufacturing. Their findings suggest that DRS offers a fast, reliable method for ensuring uniformity in aluminum alloy powders used in powder bed fusion 3D printing.

Researchers use EC-SERS to reveal the first detailed structural study of hU-II peptide in aqueous solution, paving the way for new drug development.

A recent review in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis highlights how AI, particularly deep learning, is revolutionizing Raman spectroscopy by enhancing its accuracy, efficiency, and applications in drug development, quality control, and clinical diagnostics.