Thermo Fisher Launched Nicolet RaptIR X Microscope
The device integrates optical microscopy with infrared spectroscopy to streamline chemical analysis for lab users.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Chemistry
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Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the Nicolet RaptIR X, a new FTIR microscope that combines high-definition optical imaging with Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. This system is designed to improve the accessibility and efficiency of analyzing microscopic chemical samples.
Why it matters
The integration of these diagnostic capabilities simplifies complex material analysis, allowing both veteran spectroscopists and new users to conduct chemical examinations of microplastics and pharmaceutical formulations with greater intuition.
The RaptIR X leverages a half-century of Nicolet infrared technology evolution to merge optical imaging with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Operation is managed via the OMNIC Paradigm Software, which uses guided workflows to perform chemical identification on microscopic samples.
The players
Thermo Fisher Scientific
A global provider of analytical laboratory instruments, reagents, consumables, and software systems for scientific research and healthcare.
The details
The device functions by overlaying visual optical microscopy with infrared data, which identifies chemical bonds within a substance by measuring how it absorbs light. The OMNIC Paradigm software acts as a controller, directing the user through sample acquisition and signal processing. This dual-approach architecture allows users to map specific chemical distributions across microscopic surfaces, a process that historically required more complex manual instrument calibration.
Timeline
September 28, 2026: Thermo Fisher Scientific launched the Nicolet RaptIR X microscope.
The Tech Race
This release follows five decades of iterative hardware improvements within the Nicolet spectroscopy lineage. It sits within a broader industry push to make high-end diagnostic tools more accessible through software-automated workflows.
Laboratory researchers and forensic scientists can expect a transition toward more guided workflows when conducting routine chemical characterizations. This system specifically targets users needing to identify pharmaceutical components or environmental microplastic contaminants more efficiently.
The takeaway
The RaptIR X reduces technical barriers for chemical analysis by automating the interaction between optical and infrared imaging. Researchers should monitor future technical white papers from the manufacturer to verify detection sensitivity benchmarks against current industry standards.
Further reading
For more on the current state of laboratory hardware, visit the Chemistry section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Scientist Live.
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