Particle technology is a vastly growing industry and is related to the science, research, testing, particle characterization, handling, and processing of particles and powder-based wet or dry materials. Their size can range from nanometers to centimeters and they are diversely being used in nearly all industries, including chemical, food/ feed, pharmaceuticals, metal, automotive, energy, petrochemical, agricultural, biotech, pigments, etc. Particle technology can be seen as designer engineering especially with the emergence of nanotechnology paving the way and streamlining most of our future technologies because nanoparticles can exhibit different chemical, biological and physical properties compared to their larger-scale bulk material counterparts. This opens up new avenues for creating more robust materials, with different magnetic, thermal, and chemical properties. Other segments that fall under the umbrella of particle technology include milling, fluidized bed operations, powder flow, size enlargement and agglomeration, particle storage and discharge, drying of particles, pneumatic conveying, powder and suspension mixing and de-mixing, size separation, particle-gas – liquid separation just to name a few. What is unique to particle technology is its scalability, growing complexity, and most importantly the scientific collaboration which will push particle technology/physics beyond what other sciences do separately. What the internet was to our present network of collaborating computers and information, particle science is the emergence of a new phase in the evolution of complex technology.
Cities and their water management facilities use particle technology in testing, research, and application to design water filtering systems that ensure safe quality drinking water. Particle technology is predominant in design and production and spread over many industries. The ways industry produces is changing rapidly, technology is advancing and the consumer demand for more product features, product durability, and less ecological impact during and after production is growing. What we at Delft Solids Solutions do Using analysis techniques such as but not limited to the screening of porosity and the surface area of solids, testing the size and shape of particles, scanning the composition and the morphology of solids using image analysis and electron microscopy, particle size and shape characterization, thermal analysis, powder flowability, processing and equipment designs. These testing methods and dozens of other techniques have given us the options to solve problems and help to be an important part of the advancement within the particle technology, research, and testing industries.
Since the performance of solid products can be greatly affected by a single particle characteristic that makes up the solids, it suffices to say that it’s important to investigate and test the microscopic and macroscopic morphologies of the particles to be able to understand, modify and predict the product behavior during processing. This enables production facilities to hone their equipment to better suit the intended application the particles will be used for.
Our investigations and analysis are performed in close consultation with our clients and under conditions that closely match the targeted application of the product or actual problem. This is feasible due to the broad array of instruments and specially designed and built setups, accessories, and access to a modern workshop enabling the design of additional accessories.
Reporting of investigations is done by offering a full research report, which aside from the results in graphical and tabular form, is accompanied by a discussion of the results and which includes background information on the methodology and equipment used. We strive for quality and sustainability in all our endeavors.Particle technology:
Controlling the world’s ecology
The benefits
The benefits of particle technology and engineering are that solids can be processed, manipulated, and designed in such a way that they can be used to advance technology, create better products and materials and be more sustainable. By changing sizes, morphology, and other aspects of particles, their new characteristics can be used to improve processing and products in the aforementioned industries.For example, Biomedical industries use particle technologies to decipher the structure of proteins; use rapid prototyping manufacturing techniques using a laser to sinter powdered materials in the additive manufacturing industry; modify dissolution rates that affect pharmaceutical formulations; manipulate product texture and improve the tasting experience and mouth feel of food; formulation stability/separation when squeezing a tube of toothpaste or bonding agent and how it flows out, is it sticky or does it flow easily; the smaller the coffee particles the stronger the taste, how long flavor take to be released and maintained, paint formulations that don’t require stirring or fade under UV; lithium-ion battery charge speed; cement cohesion; cream absorption; fuel and oil additives, and their lubrication properties and wear and tear prevention or thermal tolerances; plastic durability its flexibility and brittleness; enhancing shelf life of products without losing product performance; reduction of ecological impact, and product break-down/recycling possibilities.
With over 40 years of experience and expertise in the particle technology industry, our state-of-the-art laboratory and testing facility has given us the ongoing capability and technological advancement to measure many different physical particle characteristics in many different particle processing industries.
DSS is an independent contract research lab that focuses on several aspects of the particle technology industry, our main objectives are testing, consulting, and solving handling and processing problems. With our laboratory and cutting-edge testing facility, we are in our element when it comes to tackling the often complex and diverse problems that particle technology brings with it. We pride ourselves on developing innovative solutions for our clients and generating high-quality testing data, enabling us to establish long-lasting business relationships built on open lines of communication.
