Evolution of chemical analysis: learn more about the past, present and future of this area

Chemical analysis is one of the pillars of a considerable part of industries, from food to pharmaceuticals, including objects, clothing and other products and services that contribute to modern life. It is what, among other things, guarantees people’s safety and allows technological progress.

Although chemical analysis is not something new, dating back to at least the end of the 18th century, it is impossible to compare what was done before with what is being developed today. Using new technological resources, it became possible to identify substances in their entirety, ensuring greater precision.

This text will serve the purpose of providing a general overview of the area of ​​chemical analysis, from its beginnings, through the current era and what the future holds. In the midst of all this, we will explore how tools have evolved over the decades, moving from manual to automatic work.

The past: the first steps of chemical analysis

Also called “analytical chemistry”, chemical analysis emerged at the end of the 18th century, with simple procedures that consisted of observing and comparing substances and materials. As a consequence, the accuracy of the results was not the best, but there was already dedication to research.

The scale was the prominent tool of this beginning, being able to measure quantities in a way appropriate to the time. The microscope was already an ancient invention during this period, and indispensable for most scientific studies. Quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis went hand in hand.

Names such as Antoine Lavoisier, John Dalton, Joseph Black, Carl Wilhelm Scheele and Charles Hatchett are some of the prominent chemists who, directly and indirectly, contributed to scientific advances related to chemical analysis. From their time to the present day, a lot has changed.

The present: automation and the importance of chemical analysis

And then we arrive at the present time, where many of the activities that previously required direct (and, consequently, imperfect) manual work can now rely on automation. This is the case of titration, a procedure used to, among other things, determine the acidity of the sample.

Although it is not the only one, titration (part of what is called “titrimetric techniques”) plays a fundamental role. Titrators, tools used for measurements, have functions such as touchscreens, immediate partial results, data printing and several other features.

Other methods of chemical analysis include gravimetric, colorimetric and instrumental. Furthermore, the use of technological tools still depends on available resources, with more modern spaces being directly associated with high funds, whether in the education sector or industries.

The importance of chemical analyzes today is perceived in all areas of society, from the production of food and medicine to environmental protection measures. These purposes, as well as other aspects of chemical analysis as a whole, have changed over the years.

The future: artificial intelligence and security in chemical analysis

The time has come to talk about the future. Or, at least, expectations for the future. As in virtually every other area, from science to the arts, artificial intelligence is part of the conversation, thanks to its precision of information. Unlike human areas, there is little resistance to the use of AI here.

Among the possible functions of artificial intelligence in chemical analysis, we can highlight the identification of drugs in spaces such as airports, which has a direct impact on security. With artificial intelligence, situations of this nature are identified almost immediately.

Safety is also the focus of direct studies in chemical analysis, taking into account that many of the substances handled by humans pose risks. If in the past chemists like Marie Curie died for science, in the future the activity will completely eliminate risks to human life.

The only certainty we have is that chemical analysis will continue to be essential for any type of scientific discovery. There will be changes, of course, as has happened in the past, but the principles of the discoveries will remain the same. Human progress is only possible when there is concern for people.