Wiley Expanded Analytical Spectral Databases
The release adds over 400,000 computed and empirical records to support forensics and materials science research.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Chemistry
Wiley has released an update to its analytical databases, adding 429,000 new SmartSpectra records and 1,000 empirical reference spectra. The update, announced on October 5, 2026, significantly grows the company's existing collection of infrared and Raman spectral data.
Why it matters
This expansion provides researchers in fields like pharmaceuticals, forensics, and art conservation with a broader dataset for chemical identification. The integration of empirical and computed data aims to improve accuracy in high-throughput analytical workflows.
The updated library now hosts 1.4 million infrared (IR) spectra and 230,000 Raman spectra. New additions include 243,000 IR, 67,000 Raman, and 119,000 vapor-phase IR records generated via SmartSpectra computational methods.
The players
Wiley
A global publishing and research services company specializing in academic, technical, and scientific digital reference tools.
American Museum of Natural History
A premier scientific and educational institution that provided mineral data and classification expertise for this database update.
The details
The update incorporates both empirical data—measurements taken from physical samples—and SmartSpectra, which are computed reference spectra used when physical standards are unavailable. The database now uses DANA Classification Numbers and Mindat IDs to cross-reference mineral data, a process facilitated by collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History. This structured taxonomy allows researchers to match unknown samples against standardized digital signatures in materials and forensic analysis.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: Wiley announced the release of the expanded spectral libraries.
The Tech Race
This release marks a shift toward integrating computational spectra, known as SmartSpectra, alongside traditional empirical measurements. It positions Wiley’s database against other reference material providers that struggle to scale their libraries to meet the demands of automated material screening.
The expanded database is immediately available to current subscribers and users of Wiley's analytical software platforms. Researchers in forensics and pharmaceuticals can now access these records to accelerate the identification of unknown chemical compounds in their ongoing studies.
The takeaway
The addition of 119,000 vapor-phase IR records provides a critical resource for gas-phase chemical analysis. Researchers should monitor the integration of these new Mindat-linked records into existing automated spectral matching software.
Further reading
Explore the latest developments in molecular characterization in the Chemistry section.
