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A comment on Inexpensive chip-based device may transform spectrometry. Parent comment

Re:Inexpensive chip-based device may transform spectrometry by mediaman on Thursday October 25, 2018 @08:30PM (#18305835)
How is FTIR used for drug testing? Is it used to test for contamination based on the spectrum profile?
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Re:Inexpensive chip-based device may transform spectrometry by dejv on Friday October 26, 2018 @05:25AM (#18307833)
Peaks of each chemical is unique so you can scan database of known chemicals and compare.

You can even measure the amounts of various chemicals in solution, but that would require complex calibration. In this case you are basically writing ML system that is trying to fit various peak heights/areas to amount of compound.

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Re:Inexpensive chip-based device may transform spectrometry by starshadowx2 on Friday October 26, 2018 @08:21PM (#18313625)
This doesn't really explain how but it does talk about the uses of an FTIR in a drug checking, harm reduction situation.

https://globalnews.ca/news/4540315/new-drug-checking-machine...

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Re:Inexpensive chip-based device may transform spectrometry by nikmobi on Thursday October 25, 2018 @09:10PM (#18306000)
Not an expert, but if you can test for contamination why wouldn't you be able to test for the drugs themselves?

Raman spectroscopy[1] is one that I know of that is frequently used to determine chemical composition. Spectroscopy in general still amazes me.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raman_spectroscopy#Application...

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