For decades, plastics have become increasingly ubiquitous within our daily lives, serving as an essential packaging material and product ingredient. But despite the years of use, and countless hours spent perfecting a plastic’s chemical makeup and manufacturing process, failure or malfunction happens—whether it be through human error or an equipment misfire on the production line. […]
FTIR Spectroscopy Blog Posts
Got Product Contamination? FTIR Analysis Can Be the First Step in the Troubleshooting Process
An unknown residue on a molded plastic part. Peculiar fibers present on plastic packaging. And adhesion failure. Product contamination can manifest in many ways—and quickly determining the source is of paramount importance to keep production rolling, protect end-users, and bolster the company’s bottom line. The good news is that Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, or FTIR […]
A Beginner’s Guide to Interpreting & Analyzing FTIR Results
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is an incredibly versatile materials analysis technique, helping identify organic and some inorganic materials that could be the source of product contamination or cause a malfunction. As a result, we often recommend FTIR to our clients as the first step in the testing process. But when it comes to understanding […]
What Manufacturers Should Do if They Suspect Product Contamination
Every manufacturer knows that the risk of product contamination is present at every stage of the production process. From improper removal of cleaning agents to dirty production lines, product contamination can not only cause costly production delays, but also more serious consequences such as expensive product recalls and bad PR if the contaminant isn’t found […]
Utility & Versatility: 6 Surprising, Innovative Uses of FTIR Analysis
Discover how Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is used by scientists, researchers and companies across an array of fields.
Analytical Testing News Roundup: Early Breast Cancer Detection, Studying Ancient Humans & Stinky Fruit
Learn how analytical testing techniques are being used to detect breast cancer earlier, learn more about our ancient ancestors and more.
4 Examples of FTIR Analysis at Work in the Manufacturing Industry
Discover why FTIR analysis is a great quality assurance tool for many manufacturers, and find examples of the analytical technique in action.
How Gemologists Use FTIR to Classify Diamonds, Identify ‘Fakes’
Diamonds are often touted as some of the most beautiful, elegant and sought-after gemstones on Earth, with many consumers paying top-dollar for the most brilliant stones. But have you ever wondered what actually makes a diamond a diamond? Or how gemologists are able to identify the real deals? Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis is […]
How Analytical Testing Can Uncover Adulterated Foods
Food adulteration, or food fraud, has emerged as a hot news topic in recent years, but it’s certainly not something new. According to History.com, humans have been altering food since prehistoric times to increase longevity and improve taste. But overtime adulterating food, which often involves adding fillers or additives, has transformed into something that could […]
Analytical Testing News Roundup: Turning Water into Wine & Craft Beer for Aquatic Conservation
Read about how analytical testing methods are being used uncover things like turning tap water into wine.