Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (AAS)

  Atomic absorption spectroscopy, or AAS, is a technique for measuring the concentrations of metallic elements in different materials. As an analytical technique, it uses electromagnetic wavelengths, coming from a light source.

Distinct elements will absorb these wavelengths differently. It gives a picture of what concentrations of a specific element there is in whatever material, or liquid, is being tested.

As a method, AAS can analyse the content of certain metals in various materials.

·         In environmental testing, it can measure the concentration of various elements in rivers, drinking water and seawater.

·         In the food and drink industry, it can measure various concentrations of elements in fruit drinks and test for types of contamination in food.

·         For pharmaceutical companies, AAS can determine the minute quantities of catalyst materials used in the manufacture of drugs, and for other impurities.

·         In industry, there are different raw materials requiring examination and analysis to check they have sufficient amounts of certain major elements, and that there are not too many impurities, some of which could be toxic.

·         AAS is used in agriculture, to analyse plants and soils for mineral content.

·         Metals and other substances can have a bad effect on oil and gas, which is why the petrochemical industry uses AAS.

FTIR

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, also known as FTIR Analysis or FTIR Spectroscopy, is an analytical technique used to identify organic, polymeric, and, in some cases, inorganic materials. The FTIR analysis method uses infrared light to scan test samples and observe chemical properties.

The industries that utilize FTIR include organic synthesis, polymer science, petrochemical engineering, biological research, the pharmaceutical industry and analysis of food.