Last week, forty participants immersed themselves in near‑field spectroscopy and nanoFTIR technology in our labs at SDU Sønderborg, gaining new insights, contacts, and, for some, the opportunity to continue their sample measurements beyond the workshop.
What shaped the experience most was the strong balance between high‑level scientific talks and clear, accessible educational sessions. As Jacek Fiutwoski emphasised, this mix “created a smooth flow between theory, methodology, and practical application,” and the enthusiasm during the hands‑on sessions reflected that balance. Participants valued the chance to work directly with the instrument, confront real measurement challenges, and discuss how the data is generated and interpreted. Some participants who had the opportunity to test their own samples are already expressing interest in returning soon to continue and expand their measurements, which is very encouraging.
For our team, the workshop was the perfect stage to showcase the full breadth of the nanoFTIR system. Its versatility shone as we explored a spectrum of research areas: unravelling the mysteries of jellyfish protein structures, mapping gradients in bovine cartilage, analysing thin‑film solar cell materials, and investigating the mineralogy of pigments. The instrument’s power was evident: within just a few hours, participants generated high‑quality, even publishable-level data, fueling new ideas and possibilities.
During all this time, we could rely on the support of three Attocube/neaspec specialists. Their technical support is extremely valuable, and discussions about possible future upgrades were very constructive. Having a full service of the instrument during their visit was a great bonus; it allowed us to carefully test the system and confirm its real performance under demanding experimental conditions.
During all this time, we could rely on the support of three Attocube/neaspec specialists. Their technical support is extremely valuable, and discussions about possible future upgrades were very constructive. Having a full service of the instrument during their visit was a great bonus; it allowed us to carefully test the system and confirm its real performance under demanding experimental conditions.
The workshop brought together participants from diverse disciplines in an open and
welcoming environment at SDU. With its strong emphasis on applied research and technology transfer into industry, SDU provides an excellent framework for hands-on, implementation-driven work. attocube/neaspec was pleased to participate as a collaboration partner and to showcase cross-disciplinary instrumentation such as neaSCOPE and IRa-SCOPE.
Overall, it was inspiring to see a growing and connected community forming around advanced near-field optics and nanoscale chemical analysis.