EDITORIAL
Analytical Instrumentation Boom A recent survey of the market for analytical instrumentation indicates unprecedented growth (1). Consequently, worldwide sales of analytical instruments have nearly doubled their value in the past five years and are expected to reach $4.8 billion in 1989. The industry attributes this remarkable increase to an improved economy, the growth of chemical instrumentation in areas such as pharmaceutical and environmental chemistry, and a technologically advancing world. In the United States alone, purchases of instrument lines with broad, general application to chemical analysis was expected to reach $1.76 billion in 1988. These sales are chiefly to industry, followed by government and academia. Although this remarkable growth in the sale of chemical instrumentation is enthusiastically welcomed, there are a number of related issues that should be recognized. With this unprecedented period of growth, it is essential to acknowledge the increasing demand for good chemical analysts who can make meaningful measurements with these sophisticated instruments. Advanced hardware, computerization, and automation are making the measurement step of the analysis easier; however, the analyst still plays the key role of interpreting and evaluating the output. Colleges and universities are the suppliers of good analysts, but they need adequate support to fulfill this growing responsibility. It is also important to note that most of the advances in instrumentation currently being implemented originate from
the manufacturers themselves. In most instances, the driving force is anticipated sales and profits. As a result, some markets of application are favored over others. This approach has been successful from a business standpoint, but it means that new and innovative markets suffer. It is left up to the analytical research community to develop its own modifications for future measurement systems. Finally, as analytical instrumentation becomes more complicated and expensive, added consideration must be given to better methods of instrument maintenance and optimization. Because of the complexity of both hardware and software, analysts no longer have direct control over their instruments; thus, the important element of flexibility is lost. This is particularly serious for those involved in analytical research and the development of new application and methods. Without qualified people using these instruments, and without continuous customer interaction with the companies, the analytical instrumentation industry becomes a supplier of machines. Analytical research and development is needed to keep the innovation in instrument technology. References (1) The Market Book, 6th éd.; Alpert & Sutcliffe; Centcom Ltd.: Westport, CT, 1987.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 61, NO. 3, FEBRUARY 1, 1989 · 135 A
