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  • Measure, analyse, control

    PRODUCTS // PROPERTIES

    Measure, analyse, control

    The systems we supply are used at all stages in research, development and manufacturing

    Our systems enable you to measure, analyse and control a broad range of properties and characteristics across a wide range of sample types.

Spectradyne nCS1 - Microfluidic Resistive Pulse Sensing - Meritics Ltd

A Head-to-Head Comparison – Spectradyne’s nCS1TM vs Optical Tracing and Dynamic Light Scattering

The Spectradyne nCS1 is the only bench top nanoparticle sizing technology that provides high-resolution size distributions and accurate concentration measurements for particles in the 50 – 2000 nm diameter size range. The technology employs a novel implementation of the resistive pulse sensing method to rapidly count and size individual nanoparticles in a sample, with typical precision of a few percent in both size and concentration. As a result, the nCS1 delivers unprecedented capabilities for analysing complex polydisperse samples. In addition, because particles are measured electrically in the nCS1, not optically, particles of all materials are measured equally well, including biological particles that have an index of refraction similar to their suspension medium.

Here we describe a direct head-to-head comparison between the Spectcradyne nCS1, single-particle optical tracking, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Two different samples were prepared and sent to an independent, commercial measurement facility for analysis by optical tracking and DLS, and a small aliquot of each sample was reserved and measured on the nCS1.

1. Polydisperse nanoparticle mixture.

nCS1 - Meritics

Nanoparticle suspensions having NIST-certified mean diameters 52, 94, 122 & 150 nm (Polysciences, Inc.) were mixed together to equal nominal final concentrations of 5×109 particles/mL. Results of the analysis of the mixture by the three different techniques is shown at right, with the expected nominal distribution indicated by a solid grey line. Spectradyne’s nCS1 clearly resolves the four components of the mixture and yields concentration measurements for each sub-population within ~30% of the nominal estimates given by the manufacturer. Neither optical tracking nor DLS are able to measure the true composition of the sample. Optical tracking reports a total particle concentration nearly 3 times greater.

2. Biological Nanoparticles.

nCS1 Meritics Ltd

A preparation of bacteriophage was analysed with the three different methods (right). Spectradyne’s nCS1 accurately quantifies the phage (peak diameter 62 nm, concentration 7.0×109 particles/mL), and reveals a distribution of larger particles in the sample that likely include remnants of the cell culture process used in manufacturing. Neither optical tracking nor DLS are capable of detecting the phage particles. The nCS1 is the only instrument that delivers an accurate measurement of the true size distribution in the sample.

Spectradyne’s nCS1 provides accurate, high-resolution particle size and concentration distributions for particles of all material types. For more information or to arrange a demonstration of the technology, please contact us.