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Quo vadis, analytical chemistry?

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Abstract

This paper presents an open, personal, fresh approach to the future of Analytical Chemistry in the context of the deep changes Science and Technology are anticipated to experience. Its main aim is to challenge young analytical chemists because the future of our scientific discipline is in their hands. A description of not completely accurate overall conceptions of our discipline, both past and present, to be avoided is followed by a flexible, integral definition of Analytical Chemistry and its cornerstones (viz., aims and objectives, quality trade-offs, the third basic analytical reference, the information hierarchy, social responsibility, independent research, transfer of knowledge and technology, interfaces to other scientific–technical disciplines, and well-oriented education). Obsolete paradigms, and more accurate general and specific that can be expected to provide the framework for our discipline in the coming years are described. Finally, the three possible responses of analytical chemists to the proposed changes in our discipline are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The author expresses his gratitude to the jury of the 2015 DAC-EuCheMS Award (Professors Reiner Salzer, Wolfgang Linder, Jonas Bergquist, and Jüerguen Popp) for proposing his candidature, and to the Division of Analytical Chemistry of the European Association of Chemical and Molecular Sciences for endorsing it.

A number of colleagues have contributed enlightening comments to the manuscript draft.

The author is also grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for funding Project CTQ2014-52939R.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Córdoba, Marie Curie Building, Campus of Rabanales, 14071, Córdoba, Spain

    Miguel Valcárcel

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  1. Miguel Valcárcel
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Correspondence to Miguel Valcárcel.

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Conflict of interest

The opinions contained in this paper are of the exclusive responsibility of the author. They may not be shared by other analytical chemists, who are welcome to criticize them. After all, nobody is in possession of the whole truth about anything.

Additional information

To young analytical chemists, who should play a central role in increasing appreciation of our discipline by developing cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.

This article is based on the DAC-EuCheMS Lecture held during Euroanalysis 2015.

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Valcárcel, M. Quo vadis, analytical chemistry?. Anal Bioanal Chem 408, 13–21 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-015-9148-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-015-9148-6

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