Editorial: 21st meeting of the international council for near infrared spectroscopy – NIR 2023

Abstract

NIR 2023, or the 21st meeting of The International Council for Near Infrared Spectroscopy (ICNIRS), held in Innsbruck, Austria, in August 2023, was a significant event for the NIR spectroscopy community, bringing together 386 participants from 37 countries. This editorial introduces the Special Issue of Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, featuring nearly 30 articles that represent the topics from the conference. Like the NIR 2023 event itself, this collection highlights advancements in NIR spectroscopy, including fundamental research, instrumentation, and applications. Featured studies present contemporary focus in the methodology, including machine learning and AI integration, hyperspectral imaging, or process analytical technology (PAT), as well as reflect the trends in applications. The latter feature broad diversity, which NIR spectroscopy is known for, ranging from agriculture and food safety to pharmaceuticals and environmental monitoring. The contributions prove the continued evolution of NIR spectroscopy as a versatile, non-destructive analytical tool, reflecting its growing impact across multiple scientific disciplines.