Brazilian Journal of Analytical Chemistry - BRJAC - Brazilian Journal ...

in yo u r o P i n i o n, w h a t is t h E futurE o f t h E sPEC-
t r o s Co P iC t E C h n i q u E s? an d w h a t is t h E m a i n
C h a l l E n g E in t E r m s o f t h E sCiEntifiC d E v E l o Pm
E n t at t h E m o m E n t in t h is a r E a?
Spectroscopy measures the interaction of the atoms
and molecules with electromagnetic radiation,
and it consists of many different atomic and
molecular techniques such as atomic absorption
spectrophotometry, atomic emission spectroscopy,
ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, x-ray
fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy,
Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform interferometry,
mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance
spectroscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy,
Mössbauer spectroscopy, etc. Without doubt
most of these spectroscopic techniques will continue
their mainline role in analytical
chemistry. Major developments
in laser spectroscopy and inor-
ganic and organic mass spectrometry
are expected to show
the biggest growth, I suspect.
Research areas of particular
interest include biotransformation
and speciation of nanoparticles,
chemical speciation
in ecotoxicology, new speciation
reference materials, metalloproteomics
and health aspects of transgenic food
crops, to name a few.
A critical need exists for more analytical chemistry
education and research in universities and other
educational institutions worldwide. Owing to Brazil’s
potential growth, more formal programs and
increased funding in analytical chemistry for departments,
endowed chairs, sponsored lectureships
are required to maintain the pool of professional
analytical chemists for Brazil’s emerging industries,
academic research, and consumer protection. Brazilian
analytical chemists currently collaborate with
colleagues in Austria, Canada, France, Germany,
Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, and
www.brjac.com.br
“A critical need exists for
more analytical chemistry
education and research
in universities and other
educational institutions
worldwide. ”
[*] To see details about the event, visit: http://csixxxvii.org/.
intErviEw
others. This collaboration should be encouraged,
and enhanced international postgraduate student
scholarships and scholar exchanges as well as joint
international projects should be funded. They will
enrich the educational experience, strengthen
training in new technologies and theory, and built
the critical mass in analytical chemistry to match
Brazil’s future.
wh at is yo u r imPrEssion a B o u t t h E Br a zi l i a n
a n a ly tiC a l s P E C t r o s C o P y? wh at a r E t h E m a i n
Co n t r i B u t i o n s f r o m Br a zi l i a n r EsE a rCh E r s in
t h is a r E a?
The Brazilian community of academic, government,
and industrial research involved in spectrochemical
analysis is substantial. Numerous contributions are
reported at international spectroscopy
meetings, and increasing
number of papers from Bra-
zilian authors are appearing
in international journals. An
example is the XXXVII Colloquium
Spectroscopicum Internationale
(CSI) that will be held
in Armação de Búzios, Brazil,
August 28 to September 02,
2011*. This is the first time that
this important international meeting
will convene in Latin America. The topics include
atomic plasma spectrometry, molecular spectrometry,
X-ray spectrometry, hyphenated techniques,
laser spectroscopy, imaging techniques, nuclear
techniques, gamma spectroscopy, material sciences,
environmental and geochemical analysis, archaeometry
and cultural heritage, biological applications,
organic and inorganic mass spectrometry,
food analysis, clinical and pharmaceutical analysis,
and speciation analysis. Based upon Brazilian participation
in the recent biennial Rio Symposium on
Atomic Spectrometry, initiated in Brazil in 1988, I
expect a substantial contribution in each of these
areas from Brazilian colleagues.
XV