Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can help image latent fingerprints on human skin, say researchers at ChemImage and Oak Ridge National Lab. They are finding components that give a Raman emission when using a SERS reagent — by choice, a silver coated dielectric Nanowire. The material was developed at Naval Research Laboratory.

Miniaturization has liberated spectrometers from the lab, and introduced an entire spectrum of applications that need mid-range and lower-cost instruments. How is miniaturization possible, and why did it happen when it happened? A multi-part series in Spectroscopy Magazine looks at the critical parts of an NIR spectrometer and explains the process in detail.

Terahertz imaging and spectroscopy has been limited by sources that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or must be operated at cryogenic temperatures or only produce very low power output. Researchers just reported tiny, robust room-temperature sources, which could enable handheld terahertz imagers with orders-of-magnitude lower prices.

Another recent development may aid terahertz microspectroscopy. It can identify tiny quantities of substances using light. Researchers detailed how light squeezes through holes even smaller than their wavelength. Such holes could act as tiny apertures, allowing higher-resolution imaging and better spatial resolution for terahertz spectroscopy.

Detecting counterfeit drugs isn't the only public-health application for chromatography. In six African countries, researchers used quantitative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to measure the amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients in anti-malarial drugs. They found that more than a third didn't meet international standards.

A Gel Permeation/Size Exclusion Chromatography (GPC/SEC) system sorts very tiny particles and polymers. It provides conventional characterization of natural and synthetic polymers, copolymers, proteins, Nanoparticles, and other macromolecules. It has a refractive index detector, pump/autosampler/degasser module, and data acquisition and control software.

Ultrashort pulses of light are used in applications including micromachining, microscopy, laser eye surgery, spectroscopy, and controlling chemical reactions. Quality measurements are tough, since the pulse length is faster than available electronics. But users need to know how these pulses are distorted. A new technique measures beam aberrations.

The beginning of open radio-testing standards may help disaster relief efforts. Cell phones and radios tend to work well on the surface, but terribly underground. In mine and subway disasters, lack of communications can make rescue work much more difficult. Now NIST has identified optimal radio frequencies that travel farther underground.

Heading Down Under? You have just enough time left to get an Early Bird Registration price for the International Conference on Electronic Materials 2008. The conference is being held in Sydney, Australia from 28th July to 1 August. An entire track of the conference focuses on materials characterization. Do you need more incentive to justify the trip — plenary presenters include Chemistry Nobel Laureate Harry Kroto, MIT Professor Mildred D. Dresselhaus, IBM magnetoelectronics expert Dr. Stuart Parkin, and National Research Professor CNR Rao.

It Ain't Easy Being Precise

We've all experienced under-funded budgets, insufficient staffing, and the realities of applying instruments in the real world. But Senior Editor Martin Rowe at Test & Measurement World is singing the measurement blues — literally. He penned, "The Measurement Blues" about the trials facing an engineer just trying to get good data from his instruments. He also wrote other engineering-related songs with titles like, "Check Designs for EMI Early." The lyrics and MP3s are available from the magazine's Web site.

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