Terms from A - Z
glossary
What is chemometrics? What is quantification?
Learn more about the terms we use most frequently.
Chemometrics
Chemometrics is the science that deals with the extraction of information from chemical data. At Senorics we use chemometrics to evaluate spectroscopic data and build so called predictive chemometric models.
Chemometric model
Chemometric models are used to align measured spectra with reference values and enable the output of interpretable results. The result serves as an answer to a certain issue. For example, a chemometric model could tell whether a spectrum is representing silk, viscose or neither of the two when used for authenticity evaluation.
Dispersive element
Dispersive elements optically disperse incoming radiation. In spectroscopy they have been known for decades and one classic example is a prism; typically, a triangular shaped object made from glass. If white light enters the surface of the prism, it will be refracted and dispersed into its spectral components. All in all, leading to a rainbow-like splitting of the incoming white light.
Material Sensing
Material Sensing is the identification and qualitative or quantitative determination of a material and its composition. At Senorics we carry out Material Sensing using NIR spectroscopy and chemometrics.
Quantification
To quantify means to determine how much of a certain ingredient is present in your sample. When quantifying, you don’t just get information about what the analyzed material is made of, but a precise percentage of its composition. For example, you could determine that your shirt is made from cotton and polyester, and you could further detect how much of each material is present in the fabric, e.g., 88% cotton and 12% polyester.
Samples
Samples are used as reference values when building a chemometric model. The number of samples required depends heavily on the scenario and its complexity.
SenoCloud
At Senorics we store data, such as chemometric models, in SenoCloud. It is directly connected to SenoSoft and serves as an online space to save important information. For example, if you needed a specific chemometric model to carry out spectral measurement, we would create the model and save it in SenoCloud so that you could easily access it with Senosoft.
SenoCorder
Our SenoCorder is a handheld spectrometer designed to measure powders and solids quickly, easily and non-destructively. It is a plug and play solution with a customer friendly software and easy interpretable results.
SenoSoft
SenoSoft is the software we use to evaluate measurements carried out by the SenoCorder and output spectra. It is also connected to SenoCloud to access necessary chemometric models.
Spectrometer
Spectrometers are used to carry out measurements in spectroscopy. They combine a detection device (microphone) and an analysis unit (software). In this respect, your ear is a spectrometer as it detects acoustical waves and, in combination with your brain, converts them into meaningful information – the sound you hear.
Spectroscopic measurement
A spectroscopic measurement serves for the identification of objects and materials. It consists of 4 steps which are the illumination of the object, the absorption and reflection of the incoming light by the object, the detection of the transmitted and reflected light and the identification and quantification of the object and its material composition.
Spectroscopy
Imagine the interaction between an object and incoming light. In spectroscopy the light reflected and transmitted by the object is captured by a detection unit, and this data is then turned into interpretable results
Spectrum
A spectrum is the result of a spectroscopic measurement. It gives detailed information about the wavelength of the material that has been measured and ultimately about its composition. The outputted data can easily be evaluated and portrayed in a diagram.