This National Science Foundation Young Investigator project is in the general area of analytical and surface chemistry and in the subfields of spectroscopy and numerical analysis. During the tenure of this five-year award, Professor Lodder and his students will utilize near infrared spectrometry, acoustic resonance spectrometry, and supercomputer-based numerical methods in carrying out nondestructive analyses across a broad front of disciplines. Included among these are imaging of subsurface paint layers for the restoration of art objects, rapid identification of consumer product tampering, development of nonparametric algorithms for near infrared three-dimensional imaging, and development of optical multicomponent reagent-free methods of analysis for biological fluids. %%% The successful attainment of the goals of this project should advance non-instrumentation intensive methods of analysis and add significantly to our arsenal of broadly applicable analytical protocols. Additionally, this NSF Young Investigator Award should significantly assist Professor Lodder in his establishing a vital and productive program of research and research training.