De Giacomo also described a drone-mounted LIBS system that, to his knowledge, is the first operating system capable of quantitative in-flight measurements. Drone positioning carries centimeter-scale uncertainty, and oscillation and tilting during flight make conventional comparison against reference measurements impractical. A self-calibration approach solves this by deriving instrumental calibration and elemental quantification directly from the measured signal. The system quantifies elements down to 0.1% and can detect, though not quantify, ppm levels, precision he considers well suited to surveys spanning kilometers.<\/p>\n
Discussing this year\u2019s award selection, made by a 35-member international jury, he said the chosen papers (one on correct ICCD use and two applications in LIBS and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma\u2013mass spectrometry [ICP-MS]) show laser ablation maturing for advanced applications. He added that the laser\u2013matter interaction and material ejection in heterogeneous plasma systems remain underexplored.<\/p>\n
De Giacomo also urged educators to ground students in scientific fundamentals rather than rushing to applications, arguing the field needs revolutionary, not merely evolutionary, work.<\/p>\n
Further Reading<\/p>\n
(1) De Giacomo, A.; Workman, J., Jr.; Wetzel, W. Alessandro De Giacomo on LIBS, Plasma Physics, and Nanoparticle Size. Spectroscopy Online, 2026. https:\/\/www.spectroscopyonline.com\/view\/alessandro-de-giacomo-on-libs-plasma-physics-and-nanoparticle-size<\/a> (accessed October 12, 2026).<\/p>\n (2) De Giacomo, A.; Workman, J., Jr.; Wetzel, W. Beyond the Plasma: Alessandro De Giacomo on Laser\u2013Matter Interaction and Nanoparticle Tagging. Spectroscopy Online, 2026. https:\/\/www.spectroscopyonline.com\/view\/beyond-the-plasma-alessandro-de-giacomo-on-laser-matter-interaction-and-nanoparticle-tagging<\/a> (accessed October 12, 2026).<\/p>\n (3) De Giacomo, A.; Workman, J., Jr.; Wetzel, W. The Maturation of Laser Ablation. Spectroscopy Online, 2026. https:\/\/www.spectroscopyonline.com\/view\/the-maturation-of-laser-ablation<\/a> (accessed October 22, 2026).<\/p>\n (4) De Giacomo, A.; Workman, J., Jr.; Wetzel, W. Why Spectroscopy Education Should Aim for Revolution, Not Evolution. Spectroscopy Online, 2026. https:\/\/www.spectroscopyonline.com\/view\/why-spectroscopy-education-should-aim-for-revolution-not-evolution<\/a> (accessed October 22, 2026).<\/p>\n