Analytical Methods, Trends

Abstract

Analytical chemistry, the science of the measurement and characterization of systems, is being revolutionized by rapid advances in computer technology, microelectronics, and materials science. These developments are being driven by five factors: the quest for truly automated or intelligent instruments; ie, the continued development of multidimensional hyphenated instruments, the marriage of two instruments having complementary capabilities to facilitate the analysis of complex samples; continuous improvements in analyte detection limits; increased capabilities in data manipulation, hardware miniaturization, and remote in vivo sensing, leading to instrumentation capable of both separation and specification; and the development of nondestructible, stable, field‐operable instrumentation utilizing fiber optic technology as in‐field sampling devices and for process control. It is becoming more desirable for the analytical chemist to move into the field via in‐field instruments and remote, point‐of‐use measurements. In situ analysis enables the study of key process parameters. On‐line analysis capability has already been extended to gc, lc, ms, and ftir techniques as well as to icp‐emission spectroscopy, flow injection analysis, and near‐infrared spectrophotometry. New technology developments such as on‐line Raman spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction, and gc/lc were commercialized during the 1990s. One challenge is the migration of analytical techniques out of research and development, into quality control and process control. Another involves continued advances in smaller sample size, higher sensitivity and specificity and achieving lowered costs per analysis.