PARTICLE / POWDER PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERIZATION​
A detailed understanding of particle and powder properties is key to the successful development of solid and suspension dosage forms, from tablets and capsules to inhalation and nasal spray products. Particle size, morphology, surface area, and bulk properties will influence everything from flowability and processability, to dissolution performance, product delivery, and ultimately, bioavailability.
Our comprehensive suite of particle and powder characterisation equipment, combined with the expertise and experience of our analytical team, enables you to understand the properties of your material and develop the optimum product.
Cormica's Characterisation Capabilities
We offer a range of high-end materials characterisation techniques including optical imaging, laser diffraction and light scattering, along with solid-state characterisation, to understand your particle properties.
Particles from the nanometre range up to 3 mm and bigger can be analysed, including sample types such as pure API, excipients, dry powder blends, formulations, and finished dosage forms.
Laser Diffraction Analysis
Morphologi4-ID Image Analysis
Nanoparticle Sizing
Orthogonal Techniques
Cormica's Instruments & Applications
Our five powerful Morphologi4-ID instruments are perfect for undertaking size and shape analysis of simple and complex formulations. They combine optical microscopy, automated image analysis and Raman spectroscopy in a single instrument. Applications include:
- Optical microscopy with digital image capture
- Particle size and shape analysis vis automated static imaging
- Morphologically Directed Raman Spectroscopy (MDRS), providing size and shape analysis for specific particles within a complex formulation or product
- In vitro bioequivalence (IVBE) studies
- Samples can be presented as dry power dispersions using the sample dispersion unit (SDU), via liquids dispersion on microscope slides, or using the instruments thin path wet cell (TPWC).
- Bespoke temperature-controlled stage
- Sample preparation from dry powder and metered dose inhalers, and nasal sprays, for size and shape analysis, plus uHPLC (NGI)
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Laser diffraction is the key particle size technique across many industries, being faster, simpler and more accurate than the traditional non-instrument sizing techniques, such as sieving. Suitable for the micrometre range (and more), these instruments are robust and adaptable, capable of rapidly analysing a diverse range of sample types, and generating repeatable, reliable data.
At Cormica we offer laser diffraction instruments from multiple vendors, ensuring our experienced analysts can develop and transfer a method suitable for your instrument.
- Mastersizer 3000 and Mastersizer 2000:
- Size distribution of particles suspended in a diverse range of liquids (“wet analysis”) or dispersed as dry powders
- Hydro S, SM, SV, MV, EV, Aero S and Scirocco dispersing units
- Wide dynamic range
- Specialists in Mastersizer 2000-Mastersizer 3000 transfers
- Sympatec HELOS / RODOS BR:
- Size distribution of dry powder samples
- VIBRI (bulk) and ASIPROS (micro) dispersers; wide range of lenses
- Powerful, fast, accurate, analysis of a wide range of particulate systems.
- Spraytec:
- Laser diffraction spray particle and spray droplet analysis from dry powder and metered dose inhalers, nasal sprays, aerosols and trigger sprays, amongst others
- Microtrac S3500:
- Size distribution of particles in suspension using Automated Sample Volume Recirculator (ASVR) and Ultra-Small Volume Recirculator (USVR)
Accurately determine the size and distribution of nanoparticles in your products with Cormica’s nanoparticle sizing services. Our expertise in Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) ensures precise results critical for product optimization and regulatory compliance.
- Zetasizer Ultra:
- Size distribution of from sub-nanometre to several micrometres in diameter, using Dynamic Light Scattering
- Particle mobility and charge (Zeta potential) analysis of particles in suspension e.g. to improve formulation stability and shelf life
- Nanosight NS300:
- Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) to characterize nanoparticles from 10nm – 1000nm in solution, with high throughput sample assistant
- Light Obscuration particle size analysis for foreign particulate matter and sub-visible particles
- USP <788> and USP <789>
- APPS 2000 Light Obscuration particle size analysis for foreign particulate matter and sub-visible particles, USP <788> and USP <789>
- Solid state characterisation by X-Ray Powder Diffraction
- Moisture Content by dynamic vapour sorption (DVS)
- Electron microscopy plus elemental analysis (SEM, SEM-EDX)
- Thermal properties using DSC / TGAÂ
- BET Specific Surface Area and PorosityÂ
- Rheology (Kinexus Ultra+)
Our service offering encompasses everything from bespoke characterisation packages to one-off, niche testing, and includes method development, pre-validation, validation, method transfer and QC testing, plus storage stability.
Packages can include: particle shape and size distribution, specific surface area and porosity, moisture, solvent or volatiles content, dissolution and solubility, solution stability, moisture stability (DVS), thermal properties (DSC, TGA), crystallinity / amorphicity and polymorphism (XRPD), morphology and association (optical and electron microscopy).
