ESAS 2018 - Poster Programm

Significance of the Topic

Modern analytical chemistry relies heavily on precise, sensitive and spatially resolved techniques to tackle challenges ranging from environmental monitoring to materials science, cultural heritage investigation and biomedicine. Advances in atomic spectrometry methods enable detection of trace elements, speciation of metal species and imaging of elemental distributions, underpinning quality control, forensic analysis and fundamental research.

Study Overview

The poster collection presents a broad survey of emerging and established atomic spectrometry approaches. Key thematic areas include:

• Nanoparticle identification and coating characterization by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace AAS
• Laser-based techniques (LIBS, LIPS, LA-ICP-MS) for soils, building materials, biological tissues and cultural artefacts
• Total reflection X-ray fluorescence and micro-XRF applications in battery materials, ores and environmental samples
• Globar and glow discharge excitation sources for elemental speciation and trace analysis
• Coupled methods (HPLC-ICP-MS, SEC-ICP-OES, CE-XRF) for chemical speciation in food, drugs and complex matrices
• Data evaluation tools including Python scripting and design of experiments for method optimization

Methodologies and Instrumentation

The contributions showcase a variety of sample introduction and excitation strategies alongside detection platforms:

• Solid sampling HR-CS GFAAS for coated silver nanoparticles and noble metals in soils
• Laser-induced breakdown (UV-VIS-NIR LIBS, CF-LIBS, DP-LIBS) for rapid screening of geological, construction and agricultural materials
• Laser ablation ICP-MS for elemental imaging in biological tissues, paintings and forensic residues
• Total reflection XRF and µ-XRF for trace-level analysis in liquids, battery components and industrial wastes
• Atmospheric pressure glow discharges and microdischarges for direct liquid analysis
• Electrothermal vaporization ICP-OES for plant matrices and lubricating oils
• Hyphenated LC/SEC/CE systems coupled to ICP-MS or ICP-OES for speciation of selenium, chromium, arsenic and silicone polymers

Main Findings and Discussion

Overall, the studies report significant enhancements in detection limits, matrix tolerance and spatial resolution. Novel sample preparation strategies—such as nonaqueous suspensions for TXRF, inverse supercritical fluid extraction for nanoparticle isolation and selective microextraction protocols—demonstrate greener workflows and higher throughput. Improvements in calibration, including isotope dilution approaches and multivariate data analysis, yield robust quantification in challenging matrices.

Benefits and Practical Applications

These methodological advances translate into practical gains for:

• Environmental and food safety monitoring of heavy metals and organic contaminants
• Quality assurance in materials manufacturing and recycling (e.g., Li-ion batteries, metal alloys)
• Forensic investigations through gunshot residue and fingerprint analysis
• Cultural heritage studies via non-destructive evaluation of glasses and paintings
• Biomedical research through imaging of trace elements in tissues and biofluids

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Emerging directions highlighted include portability and miniaturization of laser and X-ray sources, integration of advanced data-science tools for real-time evaluation, expansion of isotope dilution techniques for quantification accuracy, and multimodal platforms combining spectrometry with imaging and hyphenated separations. Increased automation and field-deployable systems promise broader impact in remote sampling and on-site diagnostics.

Conclusion

The poster session underscores the vibrant progress in atomic spectrometry, bridging fundamental research and applied challenges. Continued innovation in excitation sources, sample handling and data processing will drive further improvements in sensitivity, selectivity and throughput, reinforcing the role of these techniques across scientific and industrial domains.

Použitá instrumentace

• High-resolution continuum source graphite furnace AAS systems
• LIBS setups (UV-VIS-NIR, acoustic-assisted, CF-LIBS, DP-LIBS)
• Laser ablation ICP-MS and ICP-MS instruments with isotope dilution capability
• Total reflection XRF and micro-XRF spectrometers
• Atmospheric pressure glow discharge sources, liquid drop anode microdischarges
• Electrothermal vaporization ICP-OES and multi-element ICP-OES/OES
• Hyphenated HPLC, SEC, CE systems coupled to ICP-MS or ICP-OES

Reference

No specific literature references were provided in the source list.