Wiley to Build Raman Spectroscopy Database Based on World-Leading Mineral Collection

Wiley Science Solutions (WSS) has announced the launch of a project in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), one of the world's leading natural history museums, to build a comprehensive Raman spectroscopy database based on the museum's mineral collection. This initiative will expand access to the museum's invaluable mineral specimens to researchers around the globe.

In recent years, the importance of rapid and accurate identification of unknown samples has grown in fields such as materials science, chemistry, geology, and forensic science. Within this context, the development of reliable spectral reference data has become a critical foundation that significantly influences research efficiency and analytical precision.

Through this initiative, high-quality Raman spectroscopic data will be systematically acquired and organized from the AMNH’s collection of over 120,000 mineral specimens and more than 5,000 gems to build a comprehensive spectral library. This will provide a useful reference data foundation for researchers, students, and industry technicians, supporting the advancement of mineral identification and analysis.

The data is scheduled to be provided through WSS’s analytical software platform, "KnowItAll," and its online spectral database, "SpectraBase." These two channels will enable access for a broader research community in addition to existing software users. Initial data will be released sequentially starting in the spring of 2026, with plans for continuous expansion thereafter.

Graeme Whitley, Senior Director of Data Science Solutions at WSS, stated: "This project embodies Wiley's commitment to providing high-quality standard reference data to researchers worldwide. The AMNH mineral collection is an extremely valuable scientific resource, and we believe that by making it available as spectral data, we can contribute to further advancements in research and analysis."

Kate Kiseeva, Curator in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the AMNH, commented: "Since the museum's founding in 1869, our mineral collection has served as a foundation for geological research. We are very pleased that this project will expand access to this precious collection in a new way and allow us to provide high-quality spectroscopic data to researchers around the world."

A spectral database is a systematized collection of "fingerprint information" for substances obtained through analytical methods such as Raman spectroscopy, serving as an essential foundation for the identification of unknown substances, quality control, and research verification. In recent years, such high-quality data has also played a crucial role in the development of AI and data-driven research.

WSS will continue to support the advancement of research, development, and analytical operations through reliable data and cutting-edge software, contributing to the increased value of these fields as a foundation for future research and analysis.