The Biosystems Research Department at Sandia National Laboratories in California is using a Brookhaven ZetaPals with MAS for particle sizing and zeta potential determination
Dr Anup Singh, a researcher in the department who uses the instrument frequently, said: "It is a very well engineered bench-top instrument that is simple and easy to use for routine measurements.
For our work, its most important feature is the ability to both determine zeta potential and measure the size of colloidal particles with one compact instrument." Dr Singh and his colleagues looked at equipment from a number of competing manufacturers before choosing Brookhaven.
"We selected Brookhaven because of its technical superiority as well as past experience with its instruments and software," he said. "ZetaPals was the only instrument available that could determine zeta potential for high ionic strength samples, without the need for dilution, and samples in organic solvents.
The instrument is also available with specialised algorithms for detailed analysis of dynamic light scattering data for research applications." The department uses the ZetaPals instrument for determining the hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of liposomes, which are used in immunodiagnostics and in studies of the structure of integral membrane proteins.
The instrument is also used to monitor aggregation behavior of liposomes and other colloidal suspensions, and for determining the zeta potential of sub-micron silica particles for chromatography and electrokinetic pumping.
The department's work has led to important results, published in Analytical Chemistry and Chemical Research in Toxicology.
Dr Singh added: "Brookhaven's technical service has also been excellent over the years.
The field representative has become a good friend and has frequently helped us to upgrade the instrument and the software."
