Although the concept of using a single optical element for analyte regression and detection was suggested in 1986, the first full MOC concept device was  published in 1997 from the Myrick group at the University of South Carolina, with a subsequent demonstration in 2001. The technique has received much recognition in the optics industry as a new method to perform optical analysis with advantages for harsh environment sensing. The technique has been applied to Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, absorbance spectroscopy in the UV-Vis, NIR and MIR, microscopy, reflectance spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging.  In the years since first demonstration, applications have been demonstrated for defence, forensics, monitoring of chemical reactions, environmental monitoring, recycling, food and drug, medical and life sciences, and the petroleum industry. The first published demonstration for use of MOC in the  harsh environments, was 2012 with a laboratory study with temperatures from 150F to 350F and pressures from 3000psi to 20,000psi, followed in 2013 with field trials in oil wells.