Solvay Pharmaceuticals uses the Morphologi G3 image-analysis-based particle characterisation system from Malvern Instruments to generate particle shape and size information.
The company invested in the Morphologi G3 immediately after it was launched, with installation taking place in January 2008.
Solvay's research-and-development team has since taken full advantage of the system's ability to generate comprehensive particle shape and size information.
Mychael Scoggins, a scientist at the company, believes that the completeness of the data delivered by the G3 allows for the characterisation of more discerning materials.
He said: 'It helps us more fully understand the materials we are working with and what we can do with them.
'Having previously contracted out much of our particle characterisation work, we now benefit from shortened research-and-development times and much richer data.
'We can run more samples and it is easier and quicker to interpret data generated in house.
'The system is automated, intuitive to use and requires little sample preparation.
'Since most of our materials are dry dispersions, we like the integrated sample dispersion unit.
'In fact, we've bought an extra chamber so that one sample is being prepared while another is running.
'Essentially, we can all get on with other things while the measurements are taking place,' added Scoggins.
The research-and-development team has also carried out some wet work.
In one study of a wet granulation, the granulation time and the amount of granulation solution sprayed were studied relative to granule growth.
'Being able to look at the continuum in terms not only of granule size but also of shape was a useful exercise in determining granule growth,' said Scoggins.
In the future, the team also plans to use the Morphologi G3's facility for characterising foreign particles collected on a filter.
The Morphologi G3 combines microscopy and image analysis to measure the size, shape and intensity of particles from 0.5mm to 10,000mm.
It captures and stores images of every particle examined.
Using software, data is transformed into useful information, allowing users to make decisions quickly.
