Blog - Spectroscopic Insights

Raman and X-ray fluorescence reveal mysteries behind Japanese art

Unmasking the Rainbow: When Science Peeks Behind Ancient Japanese Masterpieces

July 1, 2025

Reproducing Ukiyo-e isn’t just about carving woodblocks and slapping on some vaguely similar colors. As Yuya Shimoi eloquently put it, there’s a world of difference between a mere “reprint” and a true “reproduction” that captures the soul of the original. Apparently, some modern Ukiyo-e “reprints” take artistic liberties, boldly changing colors to suit modern tastes, often with materials completely different from what the Edo-era artists used. It’s like ordering a vintage recipe and ending up with a microwave dinner – the idea is there, but the magic is lost.

We Messed With Nature, Now We’re Staring at Fluorescent Icy Ghosts

June 1, 2025

Now that we’re melting those icy archives faster than a popsicle in July, these ancient carbon materials are getting released into the wild again. What happens next?

Wastewater treatment with Fluorescence spectroscopy

How Fluorescence is Changing the Flow of Wastewater Treatment

May 1, 2025

Fluorescence spectroscopy doesn’t just analyze water; it transforms how we treat, monitor, and ultimately value it.

The Nano-Explorer: Adventures in the Microscopic Coral Reef

April 1, 2025

Mapping molecular landscapes 10 million times smaller than the Great Barrier Reef, revealing a world where chemistry’s rules are rewritten.

Nano-Scale Science: When Tiny Gets Mighty

March 1, 2025

Let’s talk about nanotechnology – the scientific equivalent of David taking on Goliath, but with way more chemistry and way fewer slingshots. We’re dealing with a world so small that if an atom were the size of an apple, a nanometer would be about the size of a grain of salt.

Spectroscopy’s Next Top Model: 2D Materials and the Magic of TERS

February 1, 2025

Imagine a future where phones are faster, processors are leaner, and you can download an entire season of your favorite show in nanoseconds (okay, we’re still a ways off). But by exploring 2D materials with TERS, scientists could turn this into a reality. The combination of ultra-thin, high-powered chips could not only advance consumer electronics but also unlock new levels of artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

The cryostat, a sample handling and conditioning system, pairs with multimodal microspectroscopy systems

Cryogenics and Multimodal Microspectroscopy: Filtering out the Noise

January 1, 2025

Cryogenics is like that magical tool that clears the noise, stabilizes the scene, and lets us see things in high definition. Whether it’s identifying defects in semiconductors or exploring the depths of quantum science, cryogenics plays a pivotal role.

semiconductors with light-emitting properties

Discovering the Magic of Light: A Journey into Fluorescence Spectroscopy

December 1, 2024

Imagine a world where your phone screen glows brighter, lasts longer, and consumes less energy. It’s not just a dream; it’s the potential reality thanks to the magical world of fluorescence spectroscopy and the tireless research of Dr. Marc Etherington.

A Journey Through Chile: From Vineyards to Scientific Marvels

November 1, 2024

Did you know that Chile’s diverse topography, with its deserts, beaches, fjords, volcanoes, mountains, lakes, forests, and glaciers, provides the perfect conditions for viticulture? It’s no wonder that Chile is renowned for its exquisite vineyards, producing some of the finest wines in the world.

The Grapevine Whisperers: A New Era in Smoke Taint Detection

October 1, 2024

When wildfire smoke lingers over vineyards, it can seep into the grapevines, embedding smoky, burnt, and ashy flavors that no one wants in their glass of Pinot Noir.