Violet Innovation Grade Index (VIGI): A New Survey-Based Metric for Evaluating Innovation in Analytical Methods

The violet innovation grade index (VIGI) is a pioneering metric designed to evaluate the degree of innovation in analytical methods. This study introduces the VIGI tool (https://bit.ly/VIGItool) and demonstrates its application in assessing the innovative potential of various analytical techniques. VIGI integrates ten distinct criteria─sample preparation and instrumentation, data processing and software, white analytical chemistry and its derivatives, regulatory compliance, materials and reagents, miniaturization, automation, interdisciplinarity, sensitivity, and approach─providing a comprehensive evaluation that complements existing green, blue, and red metrics. Each method is assessed using a survey-based approach, resulting in a star-shaped decagon pictogram that visually represents its innovation score. The VIGI metric was successfully applied to five case studies, revealing insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each method in terms of innovation. Methods incorporating advanced materials, miniaturized devices, and automation scored highly, reflecting their cutting-edge contributions to analytical chemistry. Conversely, methods lacking advanced data processing or interdisciplinary applications scored lower, highlighting areas for potential improvement. This work underscores the importance of prioritizing innovative metrics like VIGI in the development and evaluation of analytical methods to ensure that analytical chemistry remains at the forefront of scientific advancement through more effective and sustainable practices.