Editing Analytical chemistry (section)

== Applications ==
[[File:Portable Screening Devices (1435) (8225044148).jpg|thumb|upright|A US [[Food and Drug Administration]] scientist uses a portable near-infrared spectroscopy device to inspect [[lactose]] for adulteration with [[melamine]]]]
Analytical chemistry has applications including in [[forensic science]], [[bioanalysis]], [[Clinical chemistry|clinical analysis]], [[environmental analysis]], and [[List of materials analysis methods|materials analysis]]. Analytical chemistry research is largely driven by performance (sensitivity, [[detection limit]], selectivity, robustness, [[dynamic range]], [[linear range]], accuracy, precision, and speed), and cost (purchase, operation, training, time, and space). Among the main branches of contemporary analytical atomic spectrometry, the most widespread and universal are optical and mass spectrometry.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1070/RC2006v075n04ABEH001174 |title=Prospects in analytical atomic spectrometry |year=2006 |last1=Bol'Shakov |first1=Aleksandr A |last2=Ganeev |first2=Aleksandr A |last3=Nemets |first3=Valerii M |journal=[[Russian Chemical Reviews]] |volume=75 |issue=4 |pages=289|arxiv = physics/0607078 |bibcode = 2006RuCRv..75..289B |s2cid=95353695 }}</ref> In the direct elemental analysis of solid samples, the new leaders are [[laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy|laser-induced breakdown]] and [[laser ablation]] mass spectrometry, and the related techniques with transfer of the laser ablation products into [[inductively coupled plasma]]. Advances in design of diode lasers and optical parametric oscillators promote developments in fluorescence and ionization spectrometry and also in absorption techniques where uses of optical cavities for increased effective absorption pathlength are expected to expand. The use of  plasma- and laser-based methods is increasing. An interest towards absolute (standardless) analysis has revived, particularly in   emission spectrometry.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

Great effort is being put into shrinking the analysis techniques to [[Integrated circuit|chip]] size.  Although there are few examples of such systems competitive with traditional analysis techniques, potential advantages include size/portability, speed, and cost. (micro [[total analysis system]] (μTAS) or [[lab-on-a-chip]]). [[Microscale chemistry]] reduces the amounts of chemicals used.

Many developments improve the analysis of biological systems.  Examples of rapidly expanding fields in this area are [[genomics]], [[DNA sequencing]] and related research in [[genetic fingerprinting]] and [[DNA microarray]]; [[proteomics]], the analysis of protein concentrations and modifications, especially in response to various stressors, at various developmental stages, or in various parts of the body, [[metabolomics]], which deals with metabolites; [[transcriptomics]], including mRNA and associated fields; [[lipidomics]] - lipids and its associated fields; peptidomics - peptides and its associated fields; and metallomics, dealing with metal concentrations and especially with their binding to proteins and other molecules.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

Analytical chemistry has played a critical role in the understanding of basic science to a variety of practical applications, such as biomedical applications, [[environmental monitoring]], quality control of industrial manufacturing, forensic science, and so on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/college-to-career/areas-of-chemistry/analytical-chemistry.html|title=Analytical Chemistry - American Chemical Society|website=American Chemical Society|language=en|access-date=2017-05-26}}</ref>

The recent developments in computer automation and information technologies have extended analytical chemistry into a number of new biological fields. For example, automated DNA sequencing machines were the basis for completing human genome projects leading to the birth of [[genomics]]. Protein identification and peptide sequencing by mass spectrometry opened a new field of [[proteomics]]. In addition to automating specific processes, there is effort to automate larger sections of lab testing, such as in companies like [[Emerald Cloud Lab]] and Transcriptic.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=29134146|pmc=5681851|year=2017|last1=Groth|first1=P.|title=Indicators for the use of robotic labs in basic biomedical research: A literature analysis|journal=PeerJ|volume=5|pages=e3997|last2=Cox|first2=J.|doi=10.7717/peerj.3997 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Analytical chemistry has been an indispensable area in the development of [[nanotechnology]]. Surface characterization instruments, [[electron microscopes]] and scanning probe microscopes enable scientists to visualize atomic structures with chemical characterizations.