processanalyticaltechnology

Since acquiring Perstorp Analytical, AB (which owned NIR-Systems) in 1997, the FOSS near infrared reflectance technology or FOSS NIR technology has helped bolster FOSS’ position as the world’s foremost provider of instruments for the analysis of foods, chemicals and medicines. In fact, more than three-fourths of the milk, grain and beer produced worldwide are tested using FOSS NIR Technology.

Founded in 1956 by Nils Foss, FOSS has already automated many time-consuming methods of analysis making them faster, more efficient and more reliable. However, the launching of FOSS NIR, through its unit, FOSS NIR-Systems, Inc., has helped catapult FOSS to the lead in analytical solutions for industries such as agriculture, pharmacy, chemistry and food. This is due to the fact that FOSS NIR offers continuous and focused analysis and control throughout the entire course of production.

Also, by being the largest supplier of Fourier transform-near infrared or FT-NIR technology, which is the most used infrared or IR spectrometry method in the country to date, FOSS has positioned itself well for a boost from the FDA's Process and Analytical Technology (PAT) initiative. For FT-NIR to grow within the PAT initiative, FOSS NIR analyses have to be taken out of the laboratory. They need to apply FT-NIR proficiencies to new applications, such as analyzing component distribution within a tablet or powder blend.

FOSS NIR technology has so many different applications. For instance, FOSS NIR and FT-NIR spectroscopy simplifies and hastens traditional microbiological analyses by utilizing advanced calibration methods within the FOSS NIR systems themselves.

Advanced methods like the Artificial Neural Network or ANN provide trouble-free and reliable answers to very complex analytical tasks. And, FOSS NIR and FT NIR, though an NIR interactance method, can also be used to measure “body-fat” for health or medical purposes.

Mature technology, such as FOSS NIR and FT-NIR spectroscopy; have left very few unexplored common application areas. However, with NIR and FT-NIR technologies constantly finding new areas of applications to test their mantel (for example; because of the increasing pressure to regulate Chinese products’ quality and safety, the identity and quality of traditional Chinese medicines are now measured using 2D-NIR spectroscopy), FOSS’ future looks bright.