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September 19, 2016   Special SciX Conference Edition Photo Credit: Studio-Pro/Getty Images Honoring Leading Spectroscopists In this special issue of The Wavelength, we focus on the SciX Conference, which is being held this week in Minneapolis. This year's event is particularly important to Spectroscopy, as we present our first Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy Award, to Matthew Baker, at the Monday plenary. This issue leads with an interview with Baker, and follows with interviews with other scientists who will be receiving awards this week at SciX. The SciX Award Interviews Matthew Baker, Winner of Spectroscopy's Inaugural Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy Award, Focuses on Clinical IR and Raman Applications Matthew Baker, the winner of the inaugural Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy Award, is a senior lecturer in chemistry at the University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow, Scotland. Here, he discusses his scientific background, interests, and recent work. Reach higher peaks in EA-IRMS Choose the Thermo Scientific™ EA IsoLink™ IRMS System for CNSOH elemental and isotopic determination, from low μg to high mg, whether you perform state of the art research or routine analyses in ecology, geosciences, food authenticity or forensics. Ultimate precision and higher sample throughput are delivered using temperature ramped GC alongside very low helium consumption and complete software automation. Learn more Detecting Disease Pathogens with Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Karen Faulds, a professor at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, has been investigating the application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to the detection of disease pathogens, such as meningitis, and to distinguish related pathogens in a complex matrix. She is the 2016 recipient of the Coblentz Society's Craver Award. Using SERS to Study How Cells Respond to Pharmaceuticals Colin Campbell of the University of Edinburgh is taking the biomedical application of surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to a new level, by using the technique to make spatially resolved measurements in live three-dimensional cell cultures to determine the response to drugs during drug discovery operations. For this work, Campbell received a FACSS Innovation Award at the SciX 2015 conference. UV/Vis Validation Kit from GFS Chemicals, Inc. The IN-SPEC® reference materials are inert, NIST traceable, and inexpensive. Kit# 87020 is an easy way to verify your UV-Vis spectrophotometer's photometric accuracy, wavelength scale, and stray light. This Ready-to- Use kit includes both polymeric photometric accuracy standards, Holmium Oxide and Potassium Iodide. The pourable reference materials eliminate the need for expensive sealed cuvettes and provide an economical solution for the laboratory. By using these, one also validates cleaning procedures and quartz cell integrity. Learn more   Spectroscopy on Mars: A Look at What's Been Uncovered About the Red Planet Raymond Arvidson of Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri, is the winner of the 2016 Lester W. Strock award presented by FACSS. He is involved with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) missions to Mars and the spectroscopy incorporated in the instruments sent there. Here, he discusses those techniques, including a hyperspectral imaging system, an emission spectrometer, and an X-ray spectrometer, and what the results of the missions indicate about Mars so far. Addressing the Challenges of Process Raman Spectroscopy Brian Marquardt, cofounder and CEO of MarqMetrix, Inc., and director and senior principal engineer with the Center for Process Analysis and Control in the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington, has more than 15 years of experience with process monitoring and control applications in a wide range of application fields, including bioprocessing, pharmaceuticals, food, oil and gas, and oceanography. He recently spoke with us about his research. Marquardt is the winner of the 2016 Charles Mann Award presented by FACSS. Novel Optical Spectroscopy Techniques for Analyzing Nanoscale Structures Ken L. Knappenberger, an associate professor at Florida State University, is the recipient of the 2016 Coblentz Award. He and his group study electron- and energy-transfer processes in nanoscale systems critical both for investigating fundamental energy redistribution mechanisms in nanoscopic media and for developing new devices based on these systems. They are developing and implementing novel optical spectroscopy approaches. Applying Raman in the Pharmaceutical Industry Learn more about laboratory and plant applications of Raman spectroscopy for the pharmaceutical industry. In a new executive summary, off-line, in-line, and at-line Raman methods are discussed in addition to details of transferring Raman from a laboratory setting through manufacturing scale-up. Click here to download Tracking Biomolecules and Nanoparticle Probes in Biological Samples with Improved Microscopy Imaging Methods Ning Fang, who is an associate professor of chemistry at Georgia State University, specializes in single-molecule and nanoparticle imaging, bioanalytical chemistry, and biophysics. He is the winner of a 2015 FACSS Innovation Award, and he recently spoke to us about his work with far-field optical imaging methods for visualizing the dynamics of biomolecules and nanoparticle probes. Spectroscopy at the Interface Paul S. Cremer, a professor of chemistry at Penn State, is the recipient of the 2016 ANACHEM Award. He and his group study a variety of processes that occur at biological interfaces, such as those between drugs and membranes, metal ions and membranes, and water and membranes, using various novel spectroscopy and microfluidic approaches. Innovating Microfluidic Technologies Amy Herr of the University of California, Berkeley, is the 2016 recipient of the AES Mid-Career Award. She and her team explore the future of biological and clinical research using a combination of chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering with strong foundations in biology, material science, and analytical chemistry to innovate new microfluidic analytical technology. Featured Products Portable Raman Spectroscopy Solutions Radiometric LED Measurement The Ramulaser-Vial is a miniature, adjustable Raman laser designed for portability. Rapidly analyze solid, liquid, and powdered samples using StellarNet's instruments and free software. Multiple laser wavelengths are available. Learn more Ocean Optics spectrometers and accessories can be configured to measure absolute or relative irradiance of LEDs and other radiant sources, with a variety of optical fixtures, calibrated sources and other tools for convenient measurements. Learn more Confocal Raman Microscopes Innovations Two Laser Raman better than One WITec offers a wide range from advanced though budget-conscious Raman microscopes to high-end instruments at the cutting-edge of technology. The systems provide exceptional optical throughput, signal sensitivity and imaging capabilities. Learn more BaySpec's Agility™ is a dual band Raman system ideal for material ID using 1064nm laser excitation to reduce fluorescence and its intuitive software Agile20/20 with 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. Learn more Czitek Introduces The SurveyIR™ High performance benchtop EDXRF spectrometer with Windows® software SurveyIR™ is a new spectrometer sample compartment mounted FT-IR microanalysis accessory. SurveyIR integrates digital video microscopy with IR microspectroscopy in a user-installed package. SurveyIR features transmission, reflection, and diamond-ATR spectrometry. Learn more The Rigaku NexQC+ QuantEZ benchtop Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) elemental analyzer features the powerful Windows® based QuantEZ software, offering all the functions required for calibration and routine operation. Learn more Instant Handheld Raman Analyzer Moxtek ICE Cube Beamsplitter Integrating seamlessly at all phases of the manufacturing process, Metrohm's Raman analyzer (Mira) provides rapid measurements for identification, screening and confirmation. From raw materials to final product quality control, Mira brings the analysis to the sample. Learn more Moxtek's ICE Cube™ is optimized for use over a wide range of acceptance angles while maintaining color uniformity and image contrast in the visible wavelength ranges. Learn more