• Question: How do you think the miniaturization of spectroscopic equipment will affect the industry?

    Asked by MakeBriocheNotWar to Deborah, Euan, Maheen, Rob, Stu on 20 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Euan Allen

      Euan Allen answered on 20 Jun 2016:

      Wow, that’s a great question.

      Miniaturisation of a technology often comes with other benefits, like making it cheaper to produce/buy, more reliable, easier to use, harder wearing etc… Particularly when the technology involves light (as spectroscopy does), making this smaller can actually make the device more stable and therefore better.

      If we include all these benefits, then miniaturisation can only be a good thing, and will probably open up lots of interesting areas. We know the technique is useful, as it is already used in so many different fields. Even if it was just miniaturisation of the technology along, I still think we would find many new applications for the technology (like putting it in drones to measure the atmosphere composition or something)!

    • Photo: Deborah Prunty

      Deborah Prunty answered on 20 Jun 2016:

      It can only benefit it. By making things smaller we can put them in more places and use them in new ways. Handheld UV spectrophotometers have already revolutionised the in field analysis of suspected counterfeit food and drink.

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