Although modern agriculture needs to be based on accurate real-time data on soil, plant, and environmental conditions, affordable, sufficiently sensitive, and robust monitoring devices for this purpose are currently missing. According to scientists, low-cost sensors based on new smart materials and printing technologies offer a suitable solution. The results of multidisciplinary research thus far and proposals for the development of these devices have been presented by researchers from Czechia, Great Britain, Spain, and the USA in a review article in the prestigious journal <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-68778-6#Abs1">Nature Communications</a>.“Sensor technologies for monitoring plant health are still in their infancy. Only simple sensors capable of monitoring basic parameters such as pH, soil moisture, or temperature are commonly available on the market. However, if farmers are to face current challenges, including climate change, and ensure sufficient food for humanity, they need much more effective tools that will enable them to monitor, for example, various pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. In our opinion, a suitable solution is a combination of new smart materials and printing for the production of inexpensive, durable, and scalable materials,” said the article’s first author, David Panáček from CATRIN, who worked on the study during his internship at Imperial College London.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Soucasne_senzory_nestaci_Vedci_navrhuji_novou_cestu_ke_sledovani_zdravi_rostlin_b4014952a3.jpg" alt="CATRIN: David Panáček" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Soucasne_senzory_nestaci_Vedci_navrhuji_novou_cestu_ke_sledovani_zdravi_rostlin_b4014952a3.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1536" height="1152">Sensors for monitoring plant health, for example, lag behind similar devices used in human medicine. According to the authors, advances in materials science, which will enable the development of scalable sensor technologies, play a key role in this potential shift. “Printing techniques, including inkjet printing, screen printing, aerosol printing, 3D printing, and direct laser writing, offer flexible ways to produce flexible sensors, large-area sensors, and sensors integrated directly into plants. The review article summarizes recent advances in printable low-dimensional materials for agricultural sensors, analyzes their physico-chemical properties in relation to sensor performance, and discusses key challenges and future opportunities requiring interdisciplinary integration,” said one of the corresponding authors, Michal Otyepka.The research brought together materials scientists, chemists, biologists, sensing experts, and printing technology specialists. Materials research and the use of graphene-based smart materials were led by scientists from CATRIN at Palacký University and VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava. Plant biologists from CATRIN contributed their knowledge of plant development, their responses to stress conditions, and the monitoring of their properties. Researchers from Imperial College London took care of the electronics, while representatives from<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/36"> CEITEC – VUT</a> focused on printing technologies. The team also included leading experts in sensing from the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Barcelona, and Joseph Wang of the University of California San Diego, the “father of sensing and electrochemistry,” also contributed his extensive knowledge.“This is a groundbreaking study on this topic, which has managed to attract some truly big names in their respective fields. Last but not least, the study demonstrates that interdisciplinarity at CATRIN gives rise to completely new and promising research topics, such as plant sensing and its use for studying plant-environment interactions and smart agriculture,” added another corresponding author, Nuria De Diego.

Current sensors are not good enough. Scientists propose a new way to monitor plant health

In the week from February 16, the following webinars await you in the field of atomic and molecular spectroscopy and spectrometry<blockquote><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinars">👉 DETAILS AND REGISTRATION IN THE WEBINARS SECTION</a></h4>👉 Search and filter in the largest global database with over 5 000 GC, LC, MS and spectroscopy webinars.</blockquote><h5>1. Thermo Fisher Scientific: The Perfect Pair for GMP Compliance – IonicX and TruScan for Raw Material Identification and Verification</h5><ul><li>Tu, 17.2.2026 20:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5835">Registration</a></li></ul>Learn how the IonicX™ Portable XRF Analyzer enables rapid, at-line identification of ionic salts in GMP manufacturing, delivering real-time PASS/FAIL results and streamlined raw material verification.<h5>2. Milestone: Reliable Mercury Analysis in Environmental Samples – Tools, Techniques, and Best Practices</h5><ul><li>Th, 19.2.2026 16:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5804">Registration</a></li></ul>Episode 3 focuses on reliable mercury analysis in environmental samples, demonstrating how direct analysis simplifies workflows, reduces contamination risks, and delivers accurate results without digestion.<h5>3. Agilent Technologies: Learn How to Confirm Your Data on ICP-OES – Are You Getting the Right Result?</h5><ul><li>Th, 19.2.2026 20:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/2785">Registration</a></li></ul>This webinar discusses accuracy and precision in ICP-OES analysis and practical strategies to ensure reliable and defensible results.

Webinars LabRulezICPMS Week 08/2026

Metalloproteins play essential roles in marine phytoplankton, yet their metalloproteomes remain poorly characterized. This study combines protein modeling, quantitative proteomics, and ICP-MS measurements to assess metal requirements across several phytoplankton species, including chlorophytes, a haptophyte, and a cyanobacterium.Results show strong agreement between proteome-inferred metal demands and measured cellular metal quotas, while providing deeper insight into biological functions. Mg-containing proteins were most abundant overall, with Zn, Fe, and Mn as dominant trace cofactors. Distinct differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic phytoplankton were observed, and strain-level analysis demonstrated how metalloproteomes reflect environmental adaptation and metal limitation strategies.<blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233">Unlocking Phytoplankton Metallomes with Comparative Analysis of Metal Quotas, Quantitative Proteomics, and Inferred Metalloproteomes</a></h4>Qiong Zhang*, Jiayou Ge, Fengjie Liu, Shabaz Mohammed, Kedong Yin, and Rosalind E. M. RickabyEnviron. Sci. Technol. 2025, 59, 50, 27367–27377<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233">https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.Many important biological processes of phytoplankton, including photosynthesis, carbon fixation, and nitrogen reduction, rely on enzymes that have metals as cofactors. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> It has been estimated that half of all enzymes must be associated with a particular metal to function. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(2)</a> The availability of metals in the environment has changed over geological time and, given imperfections in the selectivity of metal transport systems, proteins have evolved to make the best use of metals that are more available. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(3−5)</a> Depending on their evolutionary histories, different groups of marine phytoplankton may have differences in their metalloprotein compositions and metal transport strategies. The evolving trace metal availability in the environment, thus, may provide a selective pressure to promote the proliferation of different phytoplankton groups in the oceanic environment, affecting the phytoplankton community structure with knock-on effects on the marine food web and carbon sequestration. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5)</a> It is crucial to understand the utilization of trace metals by different groups of marine phytoplankton that inhabit contrasting niches in the modern ocean, not only by assessing the accumulation of trace metals in cells but also examining the functions of trace metals in different biological pathways.In previous studies, the utilization or requirements of trace metals by marine phytoplankton were mostly determined by measuring the elemental stoichiometry in cells (metallome or quota of trace metals). <a href="javascript:void(0);">(6−8)</a> In the field, attempts have also been made to investigate the elements in phytoplankton <a href="javascript:void(0);">(9,10)</a> which have then been compared with profiles in the abiotic environment to understand their relationships. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(11)</a> The discovery of various metal storage proteins and the plasticity in elemental quotas under different environmental conditions raise the question of whether intracellular trace metal quotas reflect true differences in trace metal usage by phytoplankton. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(12,13)</a> In the past few decades, more and more studies have focused on metal–protein partnerships, using approaches such as genome-wide analysis to identify homologues of known metalloproteins and other deduced metal-binding motifs encoded within sequenced genomes. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5,14)</a> However, this approach has limitations in estimating metal abundance in cells because not all genes predicted in the genome would be translated and expressed as proteins under all environments, and a single gene for a metalloprotein could be highly expressed, such that a translation from genetic presence to a required concentration is not linear and could be environment-dependent. To obtain in situ metal abundance in metalloproteins in cells, native separation of proteins by HPLC or PAGE followed by the detection of metals using ICP-MS <a href="javascript:void(0);">(15,16)</a> has been used. This approach also has limitations in that, without bioinformatics, it cannot identify the function of proteins within which the metals are found, and it may also depend on the composition of the media to which the organism has been exposed and in which it has been growing. An ideal way to solve the problem would be to separate and purify each of the proteins and then identify both the associated metal (e.g., by ICP-MS) and the protein sequence (e.g., by mass spectrometry). However, this approach is constrained by the resolution of chromatographic or electrophoretic techniques, making it challenging to establish the metal–protein associations unambiguously; many proteins often co-occur in metal-containing fractions. Additionally, this method requires huge volumes of biomass and is both time-consuming and complex, complicating the reconstruction of the expressed metalloproteome in cells. The techniques and challenges for metalloproteomics have been discussed in detail in previously published review articles (and the references therein). <a href="javascript:void(0);">(17)</a>In this study, we determined the trace metal utilization (the metallome) of different phytoplankton from their expressed proteome via a protein modeling and homologue identification approach, and then compared the resulting metallome with the metal quota data measured by the traditional inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This approach allows the building of a link between the truly used trace elements and their biological functions in phytoplankton. We aim to fill the gap between an estimation of metals encoded in the genome and metal analysis by ICP-MS in phytoplankton, which may be more broadly applicable to infer cellular metallomes.<h3>Materials and Methods</h3><h4>ICP-MS Analysis</h4>All preparation of samples for ICP-MS measurement was undertaken using trace metal clean methods. All plasticware used in this study, including culture flasks, pipette tips, and centrifuge tubes, was precleaned in 10% quartz-distilled HCl and thoroughly rinsed with 18 MΩ cm water in a clean laboratory. Trace elements in the filtered lysates of G. huxleyi (OA1, OA4, OA8, OA15, OA16, OA23, and RCC 1242) and Synechocystis (FACHB898) strains were measured using an ICP-MS. The detailed ICP-MS method and instrumental settings are described in Zhang et al. (2018). <a href="javascript:void(0);">(31)</a><h4>Protein Mass Spectrometry</h4>The peptides were resuspended in 5% formic acid and 5% DMSO prior to mass spectrometry. They were separated on an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=3&amp;search=Ultimate+3000+UHPLC">Ultimate 3000 UHPLC </a>system (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and electrosprayed directly into a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/559">Q-Exactive Mass Spectrometer</a> (Thermo Fisher Scientific) through an EASY-Spray nanoelectrospray ion source (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The peptides were trapped on a C18 PepMap100 precolumn (300 μm i.d. × 5 mm, 100 Å, Thermo Fisher Scientific) using solvent A (0.1% formic acid in water) at a pressure of 500 bar. The peptides were separated on an in-house packed analytical column (75 μm i.d. × 50 cm packed with ReproSil-Pur 120 C18-AQ, 1.9 μm, 120 Å, Dr. Maisch GmbH) using a linear gradient (length: 65 min, 15% to 35% solvent B [0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile], flow rate: 200 nL/min). The raw data were acquired on the mass spectrometer in a data-dependent mode (DDA). Full scan MS spectra were acquired in the Orbitrap (scan range 350–1500 m/z, resolution 70000, AGC target 3e6, maximum injection time 50 ms). After the MS scans, the 10 most intense peaks were selected for HCD fragmentation at 30% of normalized collision energy. HCD spectra were also acquired in the Orbitrap (resolution 17500, AGC target 5e4, maximum injection time 120 ms, isolation window 1.5 m/z) with the first fixed mass at 180 m/z. Charge exclusion was selected for unassigned and 1+ ions. The dynamic exclusion was set to 20 s.<h3>Results and Discussion</h3><h4>Trace Elements Determined from the Expressed Proteomes of Different Phytoplankton</h4>Based on the expressed proteome sequences, we predicted metal-binding proteins and compared their distribution among various phytoplankton species (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig2">Figure 2</a>). The inference revealed 28 different metals in G. huxleyi, 31 different metals in C. reinhardtii, and 30 different metals in Synechocystis. Although only 6 different metals were identified in O. tauri proteins, it has to be noted that the analysis for O. tauri was only based on the 40 most abundant proteins reported in this organism <a href="javascript:void(0);">(21)</a> and, hence, the listed elements, including Mg, Fe, Mn, Ca, Zn, and Cu, may represent the most essential metals for the species.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Environ_Sci_Technol_2025_59_50_27367_27377_Figure_2_The_number_of_metal_binding_proteins_identified_in_the_expressed_proteome_of_the_haptophyte_G_9b8ac0f004.jpeg" alt="Environ. Sci. Technol. 2025, 59, 50, 27367–27377: Figure 2. The number of metal-binding proteins identified in the expressed proteome of the haptophyte G. huxleyi (a), the chlorophyte C. reinhardtii (b) and O. tauri(c), and the cyanobacteria Synechocystis (d). Pie charts show the percentages of metalloproteins containing specific metals. Original proteome data for G. huxleyi are from Mckew et al. (2013) (24) for C. reinhardtii are from Hsieh et al. (2013) (77) for O.tauriare from Martin et al. (2012) (21) for Synechocystisare from Chen et al. (2018). (22) *Noted that for O. tauri, only the 40 most abundant proteins were included in this analysis. ND: no metal binding was found in the proteins." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Environ_Sci_Technol_2025_59_50_27367_27377_Figure_2_The_number_of_metal_binding_proteins_identified_in_the_expressed_proteome_of_the_haptophyte_G_9b8ac0f004.jpeg 123w," sizes="100vw" width="934" height="1181">The number of proteins that bind with different metals varies dramatically in phytoplankton. For metalloproteins, there are variations in the binding affinities of different metals to organic molecules. For example, the affinities of divalent metals to proteins have a tendency to follow a universal order of preference, namely the Irving-Williams series (Mg2+ and Ca2+ [weakest binding] &lt; Mn2+ &lt; Fe2+ &lt; Co2+ &lt; Ni2+ &lt; Cu2+ &gt; Zn2+). <a href="javascript:void(0);">(43)</a> Cells can simultaneously contain proteins having high-affinity-binding metals, such as Cu and Zn, and others that require uncompetitive metals, such as Mg and Ca. One of the least competitive metals for binding with biological chelators, Mg, is even found to be the most widely distributed metal in the metalloproteomes of various phytoplankton species in this study, supporting the observations of high concentrations in the protein fraction of cells (at millimolar concentrations <a href="javascript:void(0);">(31)</a>).In all phytoplankton species in our analysis, the Mg-containing proteins are found to have the highest proportion in all metalloproteins identified. About 30% of the metalloproteins in different strains of phytoplankton are found to contain Mg or depend on it for function (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig2">Figure 2</a>), suggesting the important role of Mg in phytoplankton cells. It is generally coordinated in protein complexes by ATP or ADP and has also been found to be largely distributed in the chloroplasts or thylakoids in G. huxleyi and Synechocystis. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(22,24)</a> The essential roles of Mg in plants have been reported in various studies. Mg2+ is known to be the central atom of the chlorophyll molecule, and its levels in the chloroplast regulate the activity of key photosynthetic enzymes. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(44)</a> It was reported that approximately 15–35% of total Mg is in the chloroplasts of a plant, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(45)</a> and it also serves as an osmotically active ion in the regulation of cells <a href="javascript:void(0);">(46)</a><h4>Comparison Between Metallome Measured Directly and Reconstructed from Proteins</h4>A large proportion of metals, such as Fe, Mn, and Cu, are found in membrane proteins,and may contribute significantly to total cellular quotas. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(54,55)</a> However, for method development purpose, we endeavored to remove the cell membranes from our samples to focus mostly on the analysis of intracellular metal quotas and metalloproteins in the cytosol fraction in this study. We note that our analysis includes some membrane-bound proteins likely derived from organelles or surface membranes disrupted during sonication.The derivation of cellular metal composition, as determined by two different methods, is compared in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig3">Figure 3</a>. The abundance of metal in the proteins is determined as the relative abundance of the protein multiplied by the number of metal ions needed for the specific protein. The abundance of the proteins was normalized to ensure that the total intensities from each replicate measurement for the same species were similar. Since the proteomic data used here were generated from different studies using different instruments, we cannot quantify or compare the absolute biomass of proteins used for each species. Therefore, we cannot compare the absolute trace metal abundance between species solely from metal inferences of expressed proteomes. Nevertheless, we can estimate the relative abundance of different metals in the same species. For the elements that are both measured by the ICP-MS and identified in the proteome, there are generally good correlations (r2 = 0.81 in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig3">Figure 3</a>a and r2 = 0.74 in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig3">Figure 3</a>b) between the two approaches. This indicates that the metal compositions determined from the protein modeling may be reliable and, therefore, can reflect the metal usage in different phytoplankton. This would provide a level of assurance to further investigate the metal binding associated with various proteins, thereby deepening our understanding of the roles that different metals play in phytoplankton.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Environ_Sci_Technol_2025_59_50_27367_27377_Figure_3_Relationship_between_the_abundance_of_metals_determined_by_ICP_MS_analysis_e7b259e376.jpeg" alt="Environ. Sci. Technol. 2025, 59, 50, 27367–27377: Figure 3. Relationship between the abundance of metals determined by ICP-MS analysis (normalized to C, mmol/mol C) and metal abundance determined from the metalloproteome analysis (the unit is arbitrary). To account for strain variations, the ICP-MS data for the cellular metal content of G. huxleyi are average values from 7 G. huxleyi strains isolated from different areas of the ocean, and the proteome-derived metal composition data are average values calculated from 2 of those G. huxleyi strains (OA1 and OA16) isolated previously, and data from Mckew et al., 2013. (24) The ICP-MS data for Synechocystis are from Synechocystis sp. FACHB898 measured in this study, and the proteome data are calculated from Chen et al., 2018. (22) Noted that the abundance of metals from each proteome was calculated by using the metal stoichiometry multiplied by the relative abundance of proteins, which provides only a relative relationship of different trace metals, not absolute abundance. The symbols represent the mean values, and the error bars indicate standard deviations." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Environ_Sci_Technol_2025_59_50_27367_27377_Figure_3_Relationship_between_the_abundance_of_metals_determined_by_ICP_MS_analysis_e7b259e376.jpeg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1384" height="641">Compared to the other metals investigated in this study, Ca and Mg appear to have a much higher relative abundance in the ICP-MS analysis than in the proteomic analysis of G. huxleyi and Synechocystis (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig3">Figure 3</a>). These two elements are essential macronutrients for phytoplankton and plants. Ca is the most prominent secondary messenger that plays a crucial role in response to extracellular stimuli in all eukaryotes. Ca2+ fluxes are transported via Ca channels and transporters, such as Ca-ATPase, regulating a series of important biological functions, including mineral uptake and utilization, K+ homeostasis adjustment, and regulatory network activity in response to P or N deficiency. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(56)</a> Ca is not always incorporated into protein structures. The Ca abundance determined from the proteins in this study, therefore, is much lower than the actual Ca needed intracellularly. Similarly, the intracellular Mg2+ and K+ abundances should also be higher than those determined from the protein structures. Free Mg2+ and K+ are known to regulate cation–anion balance and serve as osmotically active ions in the regulation of cells <a href="javascript:void(0);">(46)</a> but free metal ion concentrations cannot be determined through the approach used in this study. Thus, it is not surprising to see much higher relative abundances of Ca and Mg in ICP-MS analysis than in proteomic analysis (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig3">Figure 3</a>).

Unlocking Phytoplankton Metallomes with Comparative Analysis of Metal Quotas, Quantitative Proteomics, and Inferred Metalloproteomes

Article

Webinars

Scientific article

Science and research

The Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University is a cutting-edge scientific hub dedicated to advancing research in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomedicine. At its core, CATRIN boasts outstanding scientific teams, featuring international researchers. We emphasize interdisciplinarity, foster global collaborations, and work to translate our research findings into practical applications.

CATRIN

Everything from the world of analytical chemistry in one place. We connect people in solving their problems. At Labrulez you will find all the necessary information easily, quickly and clearly. Stop searching and start finding.

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Agilent Technologies

Thermo Fisher Scientific

SelectScience

Emerging Topics in Food Safety is a new quarterly event series for 2022, designed to showcase food safety issues that are important in the European, Middle East and Africa regions. Each session will highlight different food safety topics covering those that are more familiar or emerging or hot topics.
<h5>Session 1: Microplastics analysis in food by µFTIR and chemical images</h5>
The vast array of different plastic types available on today’s consumer market makes the qualitative or quantitative analysis of microplastics extremely challenging and there are no officially recognized methods available by now. During our speech, we will present the high adaptability of our developed and validated method for the microplastics detection and identification in different food matrices.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Federico Benetti (Ecsin LAB Director - part of Mérieux NutriSciences Group)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Federico Benetti has a degree in Biology and a PhD in molecular physiology and structural biology, both obtained at the University of Padua. He later joined the Laboratory of prion biology at SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste).
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Since 2011, he focused his research on the sustainable development of nanotechnologies at ECSIN (European Centre for the Sustainable Impact of Nanotechnology), where he currently hold the position of Laboratory Executive Director.
</blockquote>
<h5>Session 2: Food packaging and microplastics analyses via automated FTIR Microscopy</h5>
We will present the workflow, spectra, and analyses for a food packaging multi-layer film and for microplastics. Using modern hardware and software tools, these can now be done quickly and simply by any level of user, giving far greater analytical utility to busy laboratories.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Michael Bradley (Senior Product Manager, FTIR and FTIR microscopy, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Michael Bradley taught graduate and undergraduate chemistry for 15 years, prior to becoming a field applications scientist with Thermo Fisher Scientific. He worked with teams to develop and launch the Thermo Scientific™ Nicolet™ iN10 FTIR Microscope and NicoletV iS10 FTIR spectrometers. He then led the development of the Thermo Scientific™ Nicolet™ iS50 FT-IR spectrometer and, most recently, the Thermo Scientific™ Nicolet™ RaptIR™ FTIR microscope. He is now Senior Product Manager, FTIR and FTIR microscopy with additional roles in FT-IR and Raman training and ongoing product development, helping customers utilize the spectroscopy tools and ensuring customer feedback reaches into next-generation tools. He also sits on the Editorial Advisory Board for Spectroscopy Magazine.
</blockquote>
<h5>Session 3: Pyrolysis/GC/MS for microplastic identification - benefits of high resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry</h5>
Today, microplastics are present in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. They may consist of not only the pure synthetic polymer but also include residuals of the monomer, plasticizers, flame retardants, and many other toxic additives that can have a negative impact on human health. Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) presents a promising alternative for identification and quantification of microplastics where throughput is critical. Application of Orbitrap mass spectrometry improves considerably the selectivity of the analysis and brings new opportunities of the pyrolysis products identification. Furthermore, this analytical approach enables time-saving detection of bulk amounts of micro- and nanoplastics below the lower size limit of the microscopy techniques.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Lukasz Rajski (Product Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Łukasz Rajski works as product application specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific. He holds a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry. Łukasz has over 10 years of experience in pesticide residue analysis. He is an expert in the development and validation of analytical methods. Dr. Rajski works with advanced mass spectrometry techniques (both high-resolution and triple quadrupole) coupled to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, high-performance ion chromatography, and gas chromatography. Łukasz Rajski is a co-author of numerous articles published in scientific journals.
</blockquote>
<h3>Who should attend:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Lab managers and analysts that have analytical challenges when testing food and beverages</li>
<li>QA/QC and research laboratories that want to keep up to date and also be ready for future challenges</li>
<li>Lab leaders who want to leverage the full analytical potential of their analytical instrumentation</li>
</ul>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Emerging Topics in Food Safety

Contaminants in food - Microplastics

Microplastics in food by µFTIR and chemical images, Food packaging and microplastics, Pyrolysis/GC/MS for microplastic identification - HR Orbitrap MS.

Is your raw material identification (ID) testing process optimized? Can it handle a high volume of receipts without stretching your QC budget? If you use a sampling booth and/or open papers sacks, plastics buckets/drums, or other commonly used pharmaceutical containers to ID excipients, API, or other raw materials, your ID process can be improved.
This webinar will describe how raw material verification testing is now possible through transparent and non-transparent packaging directly in quarantine using Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS). The Agilent Vaya Raman is the first handheld spectrometer incorporating SORS to quickly identify raw materials directly through containers in a cGMP environment. This webinar will also discuss SORS technology, its impact on the ID test process, and subsequent return on investment (ROI) against current ID testing solutions.
<h5>Key learning objectives</h5>
<ul>
<li>Understand how raw material identity verification through transparent and non-transparent containers removes the need for sampling, increasing testing throughput without increasing costs</li>
<li>Learn how the Vaya system, with true through-barrier SORS technology, works through most common containers – from clear glass vials to multilayer paper sacks</li>
<li>Learn how Vaya improves current testing protocols – from low volume sampling to 100% ID testing</li>
<li>Discover the ROI against classic conventional Raman handhelds and NIR systems</li>
<li>Understand how to streamline an identification process with Vaya</li>
</ul>
<h5>Who should attend?</h5>
<ul>
<li>QC lab managers, analysts, and scientists</li>
<li>Raw material managers</li>
<li>Plant managers</li>
<li>Operation efficiency managers</li>
<li>Continuous improvement managers</li>
<li>Vice Presidents of Quality and Operations</li>
<li>PAT scientists</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Frederic Prulliere (Raman ID Product Manager, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Frederic Prulliere is the Product Manager for the Raman ID product line at Agilent Technologies. Prulliere leads the product development of spatially offset Raman spectroscopy-based solutions, particularly for verifying raw materials at reception. He joined Agilent Technologies in 2012 as a business development manager for mobile Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
</blockquote>

SelectScience: Rapidly scan your raw materials with SORS

Rapidly scan your raw materials with SORS

We will describe how raw material verification testing is now possible through transparent and non-transparent packaging directly in quarantine using SORS.

A cathode’s active material is composed of lithium and, in the majority of the cases, one or several metals. Proportion and content of the main elements in cathode material can affect the performance and cost of the lithium battery significantly, and the content of impurities in the material alters the safety of the battery. Conclusively, accurate determination and quantification of the main elements, as well as trace impurities, becomes particularly important.
Evaluation of batteries and battery components requires a variety of analytical methods that study materials and component surfaces at various scales. Common elemental analysis techniques are inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or structural analysis with electron microscopy (SEM). But also other techniques as FTIR, Raman and NIR are used.
In this webinar session we will highlight the benefits of several analytical techniques, including ICP-OES and SEM for battery cathode material and structural analysis. 
<h5>Learning points:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Learn about analytical solutions for lithium-ion battery material and structural analysis</li>
<li>Learn how IC, GC-MS, ICP-OES, and SEM support battery value chain from raw materials to recycling</li>
<li>Learn about different applications and performance demonstrated with selected analysis examples</li>
</ul>
<h5>Who should attend:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Battery material analysis laboratory managers and analysts</li>
<li>Battery cell manufacturers and their QA/QC personnel</li>
<li>Scientists working in battery research and development</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Simon Nelms (Product Marketing Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Simon joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in 1996 as an applications specialist for ICP-MS, before taking a 2-year postdoctoral sabbatical at IRMM in Belgium. He re-joined the company in 2000 and in 2014 moved into Regional Marketing for the EMEA area. Simon has recently joined the Product Marketing team, covering trace elemental analysis accessories and software.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Tomoko Vincent (Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Tomoko gained 10 years’ experience of ICP-MS (single quad and sector field ICP-MS) for the industrial research laboratory in Japan. In 2007, moved to the position of Application Specialist for ICP-MS at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Bremen where she supports the customer with the development and implementation of new methods and regulations in their laboratory.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Letian Li (Market Development Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Experienced Electron Microscopist focusing on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and DualBeam instruments, with a solid background in applications of FIB/PFIB, Nanomaterials, Dual beam systems, Metallography in Materials Sciences. Skilled professional focused in Materials Engineering and PhD from Loughborough University. Looking forward to developing and enhancing electron microscopy applications for battery research and industry.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: PowerUp: Solutions for lithium-ion battery material analysis and testing

Analysis of battery cathode materials

We will highlight the benefits of several analytical techniques, including ICP-OES and SEM for battery cathode material and structural analysis.

Electrolyte plays a key role in transporting the positive lithium ions between the cathode and anode, and consequently the charging and discharging performance of the battery. Therefore, electrolyte composition needs to be checked for potential impurities to ensure high quality and performance of a battery. At the same time the electrolyte is also a sample type that allows the investigation of ageing processes, as degradation products from all components of the battery can accumulate within it over time. Depending on analytical challenge different analytical techniques can be applied to investigate the chemical compounds in the electrolyte, as for instance salts, ionic species, organic solvents, metals, and others.
Different analytical techniques can be applied for electrolyte analysis and testing. For instance, anions of lithium salts can be determined by ion chromatography (IC) to ensure that the solutions have been prepared at the proper concentrations. Gas chromatography (GC) or gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) can be used to provide the qualitative and quantitative composition of organic solvents in the electrolyte and aging byproducts. The inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) provides robust and sensitive measurement of trace element impurities.
This webinar we are going to present how some of those techniques can be used for lithium-ion battery electrolyte analysis and quality testing.
<h5>Learning points:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Learn about analytical solutions for lithium-ion battery material and structural analysis</li>
<li>Learn how IC, GC-MS, ICP-OES, and SEM support battery value chain from raw materials to recycling</li>
<li>Learn about different applications and performance demonstrated with selected analysis examples</li>
</ul>
<h5>Who should attend:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Battery material analysis laboratory managers and analysts</li>
<li>Battery cell manufacturers and their QA/QC personnel</li>
<li>Scientists working in battery research and development</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Sukanya Sengupta (Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Sukanya Sengupta completed her master’s in Geosciences in Kolkata, India in 2011. She moved to Göttingen, Germany in 2012 for her PhD and Post-Doctoral research on understanding early Earth processes using oxygen isotopes. After that Sukanya joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in Bremen in 2020 as Application Specialist for ICP-OES and ICP-MS where she assists customers in their daily laboratory routines for trace elemental analysis. She is engaged in developing new methods and applications, on a variety of different sample types, that fulfil industry as well as research requirements.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Paul Voelker (Product Marketing Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Paul Voelker is an expert in environmental and industrial applications for the ion chromatography and mass spectrometry division at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Paul has more than 25 years of experience in business, marketing, and product marketing management in environmental, industrial, and pharma/biopharma markets. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from California State University at Hayward, and a Master of Science in Chemistry from the University of California at Davis, and has eight publications and seven patents to his credit.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Nicholas Warner (Product Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Nicholas is a product specialist with a strong scientific background in GC and GC-MS applications. He is originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada). After working as an environmental researcher for 14 years within Tromsø, Norway, he recently moved to Germany to work for Thermo Fisher Scientific. With a background in Environmental/Analytical chemistry, he is a specialist in the analysis of emerging harmful substances in the environment using gas chromatography mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry.
</blockquote>

Analysis of battery electrolytes

Learn how IC, GC-MS, ICP-OES, and SEM support battery value chain from raw materials to recycling.

Join us to become familiar with performing UV-Vis measurements and how instrumental parameters, solvents, and cuvettes selection, etc. can affect your results. The discussion will cover basic instrument design, instrumental parameters and how they can affect the data. Cuvette selection, solvents choices, and steps involved in setting-up both qualitative and quantitative analysis will be discussed.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Fisher, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark, an Application Scientist for Agilent Technologies, has over 30 years of experience in molecular spectroscopy. He has held roles in Agilent&#39;s UV-Vis-NIR, fluorescence, and atomic absorption product portfolios. In addition to identifying industry trends and new business needs, Mark&#39;s responsibilities include application development, pre and post-sales support, as well as acting as a customer advocate for new product and technology opportunities. Mark received his doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Back to Basics Workshop for UV-Vis

Back to Basics Workshop for UV-Vis

Join us to become familiar with performing UV-Vis measurements and how instrumental parameters, solvents, and cuvettes selection, etc. can affect your results. 

Sample throughput can be one of the most challenging aspects of using a UV-VIS Spectrometer. Scanning spectrometers are capable of collecting data extremely quickly but overall, certain measurements, like kinetics and thermal melts, can still be bottlenecked by the need to measure one sample at a time.
We will discuss in this webinar what to do in these scenarios - and how simultaneous data collection can speed up sample throughput and improve workflows.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Scott Melis, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Scott Melis has a PHD in Physics from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and started with Agilent in 2021 as a Molecular Spectroscopy Application Scientist. In his graduate work, Scott studied nanoparticle formation and growth for a variety of applications. Projects that he worked with include developing processes to deposit and characterize semiconducting molecular nano-cocrystals for use in optoelectronic devices as well as controlling polymer nanoparticle size through rapid mixing conditions.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Improving UV-Vis Efficiency with Simultaneous Data Collection

Improving UV-Vis Efficiency with Simultaneous Data Collection

We will discuss in this webinar what to do in these scenarios - and how simultaneous data collection can speed up sample throughput and improve workflows.

Improving UV-Vis Efficiency with Data Collection

Contamination is one of the most common causes of deteriorated product quality and equipment performance in industrial environment. FTIR has been proven to be a valuable tool to characterize the contamination rapidly and economically. Agilent’s compact and portable FTIR spectrometers provide a complete product portfolio with versatile sampling interfaces and spectral process capabilities, which can offer great convenience, stability and high-throughput solution to the contamination-related applications.
This online seminar provides a comprehensive introduction to the FTIR testing technology in the contamination-related applications.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Yanqia Wang, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Yanqia Wang started working for Agilent Technologies Inc. as a FTIR application Engineer in 2013, providing pre-&amp;post-sale application support. The products he covers from Bench-top FTIR microscopes to various Mobile FTIR spectrometers. Dr. Wang received his PhD of analytical chemistry from Duke University in 2004, doing dynamic IR spectroscopy research. Then he joined Fitzpatrick Center for Photonics at Duke University, doing Tissue Raman spectrometer instrumentation. Since 2007, Dr. Wang worked for Avery Dennison Corp. as a spectroscopist, providing molecular analytical support to the research &amp; development.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Contamination Study with FTIR

Contamination Study with FTIR

 This online seminar provides a comprehensive introduction to the FTIR testing technology in the contamination-related applications.

Just as important as the instrument on which you are going to make your uv-vis-nir measurement, is the accessory you are going to use. Will the accessory permit you to collect the information you need? An examination into the types of measurements and the accessory(s) needed to gather the desired data will be made in this discussion.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Fisher, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark, an Application Scientist for Agilent Technologies, has over 30 years of experience in molecular spectroscopy. He has held roles in Agilent&#39;s UV-Vis-NIR, fluorescence, and atomic absorption product portfolios. In addition to identifying industry trends and new business needs, Mark&#39;s responsibilities include application development, pre and post-sales support, as well as acting as a customer advocate for new product and technology opportunities. Mark received his doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Deciding What Accessories You Need for a High End UV-Vis-NIR Instrument

Deciding What Accessories You Need for a High End UV-Vis-NIR Instrument

An examination into the types of measurements and the accessory(s) needed to gather the desired data will be made in this discussion.

Accessories You Need for a High End UV-Vis-NIR Instrument

Agilent ICP Expert Software for the 5800/5900 ICP-OES and 5110/5100 ICP-OES systems features a familiar worksheet interface, easy method development, and preset methods to simplify your analysis and save you time.
Smart features make recommendations and solve problems before they happen, reducing the number of samples you have to remeasure and giving you more confidence in your results. Be assured of your analysis and compliance for your electronic records under the 21 CFR 11 regulations with the optional SCM and SDA software applications designed to support your lab requirement with ease.
Learn more about how the new ICP-OES Expert Software can transform your ICP-OES workflow in this Part 2.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Greg Gilleland (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Greg began his spectroscopy career in 1987 in Colorado, working at a series of environmental labs. After 14 years working in the world of commercial environmental labs, he moved on to a spectroscopy instrument manufacturer where he performed service and sales functions over the course of 11 years. He has been with Agilent Technologies, Inc., since 2012 in the role of Application Scientist for ICP-OES, MP-AES and AA products.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Software BootCamp Kick-off - ICP-OES Part 1

Software BootCamp Kick-off - ICP-OES Part 1

Learn more about how the new ICP-OES Expert Software can transform your ICP-OES workflow in this Part 1.

Join our virtual SpectrAA software bootcamp to learn about the latest in elemental analysis software for the Agilent Flame and GFAA AA instruments. We will discuss the entire analytical process from method development to data analysis – including tips &amp; tricks.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Sima Singha, PhD (ICP-OES Application Scientist, Atomic Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Sima has over fifteen years of hands on experience as an applications scientist in the field of atomic spectroscopy. Before joining Agilent in 2017, managed an agricultural chemistry laboratory for the analysis of water, soil, and plant tissue digests using ICP-OES for various EPA methods. She received a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago with numerous peer-reviewed publications.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Software BootCamp Kick-off - AA

Software BootCamp Kick-off - AA

We will discuss the entire analytical process from method development to data analysis – including tips & tricks.