Monosized dispersions of 300nm latex beads in single-shot bottles for use in the operational qualification of particle size analyser eliminates shelf life headaches
Malvern Instruments has entered into an exclusive agreement with Duke Scientific to provide monosized dispersions of 300nm latex beads in single-shot bottles for use in the operational qualification (OQ) of the Mastersizer 2000 particle size analyser.
The standards have been fully characterised by microscopy and are NIST traceable.
The single shot approach means that bottles of standards are opened only when they are actually required, and the whole contents are used to make a single measurement.
As a result, shelf life is said not to be an issue and their reliability as OQ standards is guaranteed.
Use of single shot standards also ensures that the ideal amount of material is measured every time, removing the possibility of any sample variation from measurement to measurement.
In the past, 300nm latex standards have been supplied in 15ml bottles. However, with such a small particle size, only tiny amounts are needed for each experiment.
While a 15ml bottle can be used for many experiments, the bottle can easily have passed its ideal use-by date before the contents have been exhausted.
With the one-shot format, users have a more reliable standard, as well as much tighter control of usage rates and re-ordering requirements. Supplied in packs of ten bottles, the new standards can easily be shared among groups of laboratories with none of the problems previously associated with individual laboratories losing a common stock bottle or storing it inappropriately.
Malvern Instruments is collaborating with Duke Scientific to review the opportunities for extending the range of one-shot standards in order to further the process of continuous improvement of the products and services offered to both companies' customers.
