Letter to the Editor: origins of volume fraction for better calibrations

Abstract

A couple of columns ago we reported on work which had shown that weight fractions were often incorrect concentration units to use in quantitative chemometric studies. The article prompted some interesting feedback, not least a long “Letter to the Editor” from the originator of these ideas. His own work proving the importance of using volume fraction not weight fraction when the samples are made up of liquids of different densities had struggled to be published in chemistry journals. I was pleased that Howard had reached out to us from across the Atlantic, especially at a time of great upheaval in the USA, and with Ian Michael’s approval we have decided to feature Howard’s letter in this month’s column as it also sets straight a few misconceptions that were in our original look at this problem. So over to Howard!