Whether you work in pharma, mining, manufacturing or even airport security, you require answers on the spot. And relying on lab results that take hours, if not days, isn’t always realistic, especially when decisions have to be made on the fly. In this article, you will learn why handheld Raman spectrometers are fast and accurate and help you to preserve the structural integrity of the materials being tested.
Testing Directly in the Field
Handheld Raman spectrometers are small enough to be practically on you and light enough to use without issue. For that reason, you don’t need to take samples back to a lab and wait for results. Instead, you’re able to check out the material right at its source. And in security, you don’t have to move suspicious substances, because they eliminate the risk of transporting unknown or hazardous material.
Rapid Identification of Substances
You can aim it at a sample, scan it, and in no time, the spectrometer has read its chemical structure. In law enforcement, it aids in the detection of illicit drugs in the field without requiring lab confirmation. In healthcare, it’s applied to verifying the authenticity of medicines, a key concern for patient safety. When it comes to manufacturing, it can help quality check raw materials before production begins at all.
Keeping Samples Intact
Not all testing methods leave a sample as is, because some methods cause the sample to be modified. Raman spectroscopy does this by shining a laser onto the material and performing calculations on how the light scatters. That’s vital in pharmaceuticals or food, where you can’t afford to waste samples. Non-destructive testing will repeat the testing, which will have a positive effect as a practical apparatus.
Supporting Safety and Regulatory Standards
All industries are subject to regulations, but some, including food production, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, have especially tight rules. If you have a hand-held device, you can confirm that the ingredients being put into a medicine are the right ones and that they meet quality standards. By doing so, you minimise the chance of expensive mistakes and, more importantly, keep consumers safe.
Real-Time Answers for On-Site Decisions
Because handheld Raman spectrometers provide results on the spot, you no longer have to stop and wait for lab results when working on projects. Perhaps a mining operation in which engineers have to determine what grade of ore they’re digging before moving forward. Rather than ceasing work until lab tests confirm it, they can identify it right there and make an informed decision there and then.
Saving Time and Cutting Costs
Each instance in which you avoid sending a sample to the laboratory, you save time and money. Labs are expensive to operate, and shipping materials, especially the dangerous ones, incurs additional expenses. Handheld Raman instruments make the operation more efficient through optimisation of the workflow. Projects don’t stop and wait for results, and the risks of handling or transporting materials drop.
Built for Everyday Use
Today’s designs have easy-to-use, transparent interfaces that don’t require years of lab training to navigate. Field staff can be trained to use them effectively with very simple instructions. For instance, security personnel of an airport or workers in a factory may not be the best-trained scientific thinkers. The ease of use of handheld raman spectrometers makes them approachable and useful in daily tasks.
The Future of Analysis Starts with Handheld Raman Spectrometers
As the need for faster, safer, and more accurate testing from all industries remains high, handheld Raman spectrometers are essential. Whether in mining or manufacturing, spending on these devices is about making better decisions, running a safer operation, and making your process efficient. Handheld Raman spectrometers are the type of technology essential for ensuring that industries continue to progress.
