Microanalytical Group

Despite being one of the smallest groups associated with the RSC's Analytical Division the Microanalytical Group is the oldest.

It had its beginnings in the inter-war years when a group of enthusiastic analysts met two or three times a year to discuss their fascination for their subjects and to try and address what they could see as the ever increasing need for small scale analysis. These were the founder members of the Microchemical club. It was unfortunate that the club only ran for five years and was disbanded at the outbreak of war in 1939 but in 1943 Professor (then Mr) R. Belcher wrote to Chemistry and Industry suggesting the need for the formation of a microchemical society.

The group has undergone a number of changes, in 1972 it was changed to the Microchemical Methods Group, in 1986 to the Micro and Chemical Methods group and in 2001 to its current name of Microanalytical Group (small-scale, trace and elemental analysis). Although being subtle in their differences, these name changes reflect the group's ability to adapt to the constant shifts in states of the art science and technological progress.