MEMS technology helps redefine traditional chemical analysis methods: micro-electro-mechanical...

For many years, near-infrared (NIR) was considered to be an experimental curiosity relative to its role and application for chemical analysis. Early UV-visible instruments provided the option of an extended range that designated the near-infrared as the shortwave region from 700 to 1100 nm. Information from this region was limited to the measurement of key parameters such as moisture, protein and fiber content.

[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]

In the mid-1980s, work carried out at the Center of Process Analytical Chemistry (CPAC) at the University of Washington indicated