FTIR in Action: From Spectroscopy Fundamentals to Oil and Grease Analysis in Water

FTIR spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique that connects molecular vibrations to practical chemical measurements. In this webinar, we review the fundamentals of FTIR spectroscopy, including how infrared absorption arises from molecular structure, why IR spectra provide unique chemical fingerprints, and how quantitative information can be extracted using Beer–Lambert–based calibration with carefully selected spectral bands. These core concepts form the foundation for applying FTIR reliably to complex chemical systems, including aqueous samples, using the Agilent Cary 630 FTIR spectrometer. 

The webinar then transitions to the practical challenge of measuring oil and grease in water—an important requirement for wastewater, process water, and environmental monitoring. ClearShot™ Extraction Technology, developed by OSS Maine, provides a cost-effective, safe, and accurate approach for quantifying total oil and grease without the use of hazardous solvents. When paired with FTIR analysis, this workflow enables rapid measurements across a wide concentration range, supporting efficient, reliable water analysis.

Presenter:  Yanqia Wang, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)

Dr. Yanqia Wang started working for Agilent Technologies Inc. as a FTIR application Engineer in 2013, providing pre-&post-sale application support. The products he covers from Bench-top FTIR microscopes to various Mobile FTIR spectrometers. Dr. Wang received his PhD of analytical chemistry from Duke University in 2004, doing dynamic IR spectroscopy research. Then he joined Fitzpatrick Center for Photonics at Duke University, doing Tissue Raman spectrometer instrumentation. Since 2007, Dr. Wang worked for Avery Dennison Corp. as a spectroscopist, providing molecular analytical support to the research & development.