From discovery to recovery – Analyst and Analytical Methods working together for the analytical community

Dear readers, welcome to the 2011 January issues of Analyst and Analytical Methods. For the first time in the long and distinguished history of Analyst and the short and exciting life of Analytical Methods, we have come together to look forward to what our sister journals hope to achieve in 2011, and provide this joint Editorial, which underlines the direction and challenges for the coming year for the analytical science community.

Analytical Methods was launched in the autumn of 2009, and so 2011 marks the start of only the second full publishing year of the journal. However, despite its relative youth, 2010 has seen the journal grow at an impressive speed, with a very encouraging number of submissions and, judging from the geographical spread of published papers, covering 44 different countries over the first 15 issues, a rapidly growing international awareness. Analyst on the other hand, was launched in January 1876 with publication of a “Note on the Examination of Whisky and Other Spirits, for Methylated Spirit And Fousel Oil” by A. Dupré which was read at a meeting of the Society of Public Analysts at Burlington House. In the ensuing 135 years, Analyst has played a central role in the development of the analytical sciences worldwide and looks forward to continuing to provide visionary leadership in the new directions that interdisciplinary detection science is taking.

As is the case for any two such closely aligned publications, the question of journal scope is still one which we need to define more clearly for the many analytical scientists choosing to publish within the recognised quality confines of a Royal Society of Chemistry journal. Both journals recognise the pivotal enabling role of analytical science in furthering global life quality, social and scientific achievement, and sustainable development. These ultimate overarching global metrics, which are testament to the impact of the analytical sciences, can often be traced back to their origins as fundamental breakthroughs in the laboratory. Analyst seeks to publish these fundamental breakthroughs, whether they focus on bioanalytical science, advanced analytical systems, analytical nanoscience or exciting new developments which have yet to garner their own buzzwords. Analytical science published in Analyst may well be at a sufficiently early stage of discovery or development that the final application or impact of the research is too distant to view, and the potential benefits too speculative to clearly define. We envision that these advances, whether in the form of a previously unexplored detection process or technology, a new theory or a unique approach to an as-yet unsolved analytical challenge, will establish the foundation for future applications and exploitation of the science for specific high-impact chemical determinations.

From the first report of a new analytical technology, to developing a problem-solving application, and ultimately a societal benefit, is a long uphill path, with many steps along the way. Analytical Methods is a vessel for the reporting of this first applied demonstration of any such new analytical technology or process. At this stage in the evolution of the technology, there is no expectation that all the possible implications and intricacies of the technology have been documented, in other words a fully validated and standardised methodology may be yet to come, but what is available will clearly demonstrate the applied potential inherent in the discovery. From here the demonstration will find further application out there amongst the wider analytical community, addressing problems in all fields of activity, many of which will be far beyond that proposed by the original discoverer of the technology. Historically this has always been the way of the scientific process, and is of course recorded within the complete annals of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Currently we find ourselves in a time of harsh economic realities and for industry, challenging operating conditions. Analytical science has always been a discipline based upon pushing the boundaries of what can be seen, measured and understood. Redefining those boundaries is the central objective of Analyst. Following through on these discoveries, the applications of analytical science are frequently about improving efficiency, obtaining better quality information and improving chemical processes through better understanding of chemical technologies, activities that fall squarely in the province of Analytical Methods. We firmly believe that, because information is king, and analytical scientists are dedicated to the production of high-quality information about complex molecular systems, we, as a community have an important role to play in driving economic development and recovery forward. Working together our sister analytical science journals, Analyst and Analytical Methods can play an absolutely crucial role. Those who better understand their process and products, have the ability to move ahead faster, with fewer restrictions, ultimately achieving economic success, and in the current climate, recovery. Researchers reporting their findings within our sister journals are providing solutions to clearly defined problems, as well as to problems they may not have even considered. By doing so, this large community of analytical scientists, of such diverse and multidisciplinary backgrounds, can collectively provide fuel for the economic engine to once again accelerate forward following its temporary loss of steam. The editorial boards of Analyst and Analytical Methods look forward to working together with the community to engage these singular challenges.

Best wishes for 2011,

Paul Bohn, Chair, Analyst Editorial Board

Brett Paull, Editor-in-Chief, Analytical Methods

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