An Interview with Dr. Enrique Lozano Diz from ELODIZ
Enrique Lozano Diz holds a PhD in Chemistry and has over 15 years of experience working with laser-based instrumentation, its development and commercialisation. He is the founder of ELODIZ Ltd, which has been supporting the development of Raman spectroscopy since 2012. Under his management, ELODIZ has become an integral member of the CHARISMA Consortium.
We are very pleased to share his valuable remarks on the significance and the real-life impacts of Raman spectroscopy below:
Q1: Could you briefly describe your role in the CHARISMA project?
I am the WP3* leader and the main technical advisor and prototype developer, with the rest of my team focusing on WP6 for the various industrial partners. I am actively involved in WP4 and WP5 in a knowledge support role, but also strongly contribute to other areas of the project.
*WP3 (Work Package 3) focuses on the harmonization of Raman spectra to ensure any data generated in any device can be easily transferred and validated in any other device in a reproducible way. Read more about the CHARISMA work packages here.
Q2: What makes Raman spectroscopy stand out among the other methods? What is innovative about the use of Raman?
The overall potential of the technique has consistently been recognised as one of the most powerful tools for material characterisation. The greatest points of the technique are:
- Data is obtained from where we focus the laser beam, allowing the signal to pass through clear containers
- No sample preparation to acquire the data
- Non-destructive* (*unless high wavelength and energy levels are used)
- Chemical specific fingerprinting/characterisation
- Fast data acquisition times
- Versatile, can be easily modified by adjusting the system via accessories, such as probes, microscopes, vial adaptors, etc.
Our recently published application note covers these questions in detail. To view it, please follow this link: https://www.elodiz.com/why-raman-spectroscopy/
Q3: Could you specify some real-life industrial and academic impacts of Raman?
One of the great advancements has been the development of small footprint (portable, handheld or modular) Raman devices. The techniques are no longer microscope-based or limited to a closed lab environment with controlled temperature, allowing operation to extend into field. Take for example the handheld Raman devices in the pharmaceutical and security industries. In developed countries, most of the pharma companies have now introduced this technique in the warehouse for on-the-spot raw materials identification (without the need for sampling the bag or sending the samples to analytical laboratories).
In the case of security forces, the ability to identify street drugs with precision and without manipulation of the sample (Raman can read through plastic bags or transparent containers) makes this technique extremely beneficial, especially when dealing with dangerous chemicals which can be harmful to people or environment. It also allows to prevent modification of the evidence in any shape or form.
These are very clear examples where technology can have a significant impact on daily operations.
