MIT Workshop Explores Raman Spectroscopy's Potential

Hands-on session showcases versatile materials analysis technique with applications from law enforcement to art restoration.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:24am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A three-hour workshop at MIT's Media Lab introduced participants to Raman spectroscopy, an advanced materials analysis technique that uses laser light to "fingerprint" the molecular composition of various objects. The session featured a demonstration using a robotic dog equipped with Raman sensing equipment, highlighting how the technology can be used in dangerous environments. Attendees from diverse backgrounds, including administrative staff and researchers, explored the technique's wide-ranging applications, from identifying narcotics and explosives to authenticating precious stones and verifying pharmaceutical raw materials.

Why it matters

Raman spectroscopy has become a powerful tool across many industries, from law enforcement and forensics to art restoration and materials science research. The workshop aimed to inspire participants to think creatively about new ways to leverage this versatile technology, which has been transformed by advancements in lasers, computing power, and miniaturized optics.

The details

Led by MIT postdoc Lamyaa Almehmadi, the workshop covered the fundamentals of Raman spectroscopy, a technique developed in 1928 that uses visible light to probe materials without destroying them. Participants brought in various items, from a stone found at the beach to a contact lens, and used handheld Raman devices to instantly analyze their molecular composition by comparing the samples' "fingerprints" against digital libraries. The session also featured a demonstration using a robotic dog from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), showcasing how Raman technology can be deployed in hazardous environments.

  • The workshop took place in late January at MIT's Media Lab.
  • Raman spectroscopy was developed in 1928 by Indian scientist C.V. Raman, who later won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

The players

Lamyaa Almehmadi

An analytical chemist in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE) at MIT and the leader of the Raman spectroscopy workshop.

Sarah Ciriello

An administrative assistant at DMSE who attended the workshop and analyzed a stone she found at the beach.

Michael Kitcher

A postdoc in DMSE who attended the workshop to learn more about Raman spectroscopy and its potential applications for his research on unconventional magnetic materials.

MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL)

The lab that provided the robotic dog used in the workshop demonstration.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It can open up new possibilities for innovation across many fields.”

— Lamyaa Almehmadi, MIT postdoc

“It's man-made - I was surprised.”

— Sarah Ciriello, Administrative assistant at DMSE

“Given that we just duct taped the device onto the dog - it was cool to see it actually worked.”

— Michael Kitcher, Postdoc in DMSE

What’s next

Almehmadi plans to continue advancing Raman spectroscopy technology by developing highly sensitive, semiconductor-based sensors that can enable portable chemical analysis for a wide range of applications, from medical diagnostics to forensic and environmental monitoring.

The takeaway

The Raman spectroscopy workshop at MIT showcased the versatility of this powerful materials analysis technique, which has been transformed by technological advancements and can now be used in diverse fields, from law enforcement and art restoration to materials science research and pharmaceutical quality control.