1999 EAS Meeting

Abstract

There were many fine symposia and sessions on analytical measurements using NIR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics. There was an increased focus on on-line spectroscopic measurements in the polymer, petroleum and pharmaceutical industries. Two Symposia recognised early and important contributors in NIR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics. The EAS Award for Achievements in Near Infrared Spectroscopy, honouring Phil Williams, sponsored by Foss/ NIRSystems, Inc. was one of the highlights of the programme. Karl Norris, Phil’s friend and coworker, spoke on Understanding Problem Samples. He showed that it was often the problems that were the keys to advances in the technology. For example, problems of grain measurements being influenced by sample preparation were ultimately solved by developing instruments to measure whole grain samples. The benefit is more rapid process control not only in grain handling, but also in many food, chemical and pharmaceutical applications. John Coates reviewed modern technologies in NIR spectroscopy that contribute to moving the measurements of samples from out of the laboratory and into at-line and online determinations that enable control and product improvement. Phil Williams spoke on The Concept of Electronic Grading of Grains and Seeds. He foresees a broad range of measurements for grading, that will benefit producers and users of grains and seed products (see page 10). David Hopkins spoke on the use of derivatives in spectroscopy to enhance the signal-to-noise by the appropriate choice of the method and length of the derivative interval. He then presented slides of the locale, people and activities at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Syria. Under Phil’s extensive guidance and training, scientists at ICARDA completed projects on grain measurement, crop and process improvement in that developing area. Jerry Workman presented results in process monitoring and the benefits of presenting data as images, allowing easier interpretation of the results and control of the process. Another highlight was the Symposium for the Galactic Industries Award for Achievements in Chemometrics, Presented by EAS, honouring Harald Martens. The Symposium was ably chaired by Charles Miller, who introduced the topic that relevant information is what is needed in analytical measurements, not data per se. Then Lars Munck gave a personal and passionate review of information, from the explorative scientific perspective. Magni Martens has been coworker as well as wife of Harald, and she presented a very interesting view of sensory information in science, from a psychological standpoint. A person’s viewpoint often influences the perceptions of patterns in our multivariate world. It is really not far to see that Chemometrics is