European analytical column No. 36 (January 2008)

Prof. Hendrik Emons has been invited at the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) to give his perspective on analytical chemistry, with inputs obtained from colleagues at the same institute. An increasing number of production processes have to be controlled by on-line analysis. Prof. Emons stated that the nano wave is pushing materials sciences not only much closer to atomic and quantum physics, but also into many areas of chemistry, including modern analytical chemistry. According to him, the principles of analytical quality assurance and control should be taught and practiced at more European universities in a systematic manner. The abilities of well-trained and continuously updated analytical chemists to combine their specific competences with interdisciplinary approaches in a problem-solving oriented manner are providing the analytical chemistry with a bright future.