We’re looking ahead to the future of analytical chemistry, from monitoring the planet from satellites, diagnosing cancer quickly and easily from small blood samples, to where the discipline itself is heading. And with a century and half passing since the Society of Public Analysts was founded, what does the future hold for this important role?
Instruments in space have studied the planet’s atmosphere and surface, and are now being joined by powerful new ones, finds Andy Extance
Testing small amounts of blood for the presence of disease markers could revolutionise how we detect cancer. Clare Sansom reports
Analytical techniques have come a long way, but what does the future hold? Rachel Brazil asks the experts what they’d like to see
As the Association of Public Analysts winds up, Duncan Campbell reflects on the continued importance of the profession
New and better tools are pushing back boundaries and changing the world
Mapping a spectrum of developments
Scientists unite to investigate objects that shut down beaches in New South Wales
Technique offers a way to get around problems with hard-to-crystallise proteins, already scoring impressive successes with a Parkinson’s protein
Study makes recommendations to better protect humans and the environment in the event of a future chemical incident
Metal oxide–polymer composites offer a nanotech sensing solution
Technique can be used to study other liquids and amorphous materials
Join us for a demonstration of how benchtop NMR can be used to study elements beyond hydrogen and carbon
Discover how analytical software can support your workflow
Join us on 4 December to learn more about the science of liquid biopsies from leaders in the field
Nine out of 10 green and blue inks analysed violate Reach regulations
Rapid sequencing technique can not only deal with proteins hundreds of amino acids long but can detect modifications
Researchers revisit spectrum of fragile dimer with high-sensitivity spectroscopy
Contamination cases at the Olympics and beyond highlight the need for minimum reporting thresholds for drug testing in sport
Brightly coloured fabric covers hide poisonous dye legacy
Mineral analysis matches sandstones from over 750km away
Tensions flare in latest dispute over spherical nucleic acid technology
Molecular fingerprinting techniques outperform standard blood tests for detecting the onset of many diseases
Centuries of study have refined theories of how substances with periodically ordered structures behave. Anna Demming talks to the researchers exploring where these theories can apply in materials that are not ordered periodically, or even ordered at all
How to test illicit substances at festivals and identify the rodent in your beer
Learn how to visualise data, develop best practices and comply with regulations