Use in different industries
1. Spectroscopy is used in the industry of astronomy – from it, astronomers can gain information about the temperature, density, composition and speed of an astronomical object. For example, it can study the speed the astronomical object is travelling at and even navigate through the universe. This process is done by the spectrometer measuring the electromagnetic radiation emitted from space matter. Most large telescopes have spectrometers, used to measure the chemical composition and physical properties of astronomical objects.
2. Spectroscopy is used in the medical industry. Radio-frequency spectroscopy is used to visualise the internal soft tissue of the human body. This is called magnetic resonance spectroscopy, commonly known as MRS. In this field, scientists can investigate patients with brain tumours, breast cancer, dementia (Eg. Alzheimer’s) and psychiatric disorders. Mainly, this deals with diseases affecting the brain and studying the metabolism of organs. By measuring changes in near-infrared light, it allows scientists to monitor the flow of blood in the front part of the brain. MRS can be done as part of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on available MRI instruments. With MRS, it creates a graph or spectrum arranging the types and number of chemicals in the brain or other organs. On the other hand, MRI creates merely an image. 3. Near-infrared spectroscopy is used in the agricultural industry. It is commonly used for analysing pharmaceuticals, combustion products and food. This type of spectroscopy assesses the quality of foods by preserving a sample and investigating the amount of fat, oil protein and moisture levels. This method is relatively simple, quick and less costly. 4. Spectroscopy is used in physical and analytical chemistry. This is more specifically known as optical spectroscopy. This is an important technique in the industrial science of chemistry. Essentially, this studies the properties of objects by measuring how an object emits and interacts with light. This includes identifying the chemical composition and physical structure of matter or substances through the spectrum that is emitted or absorbed, temperature and velocity. It involves visible, ultraviolet or infrared light. |