3 Things to Know About the Current State of Particle Size Analysis

A particle can be defined most broadly as any quantity of matter. Often ascribed varying properties relating to both the physical and chemical worlds, this definition can range, but most typically describes such matter in a very small, minute measurement. Being so tiny, particles can often be overlooked in importance, but shouldn’t be. This is because the size of these pieces of matter can have great implications in a variety of commercial sectors. The quality and performance of a product, whether it be an aerosol substance or food material, can be assessed most notably through particle size analysis. By utilizing modern day technological methods, scientists can determine the precise size of the particles an a given substance in a number of industries. Here are three things to know about these processes and their commercial implications:

1. North America is Leading the Way


According to GlobeNewswire Particle Size Analyzer Market Expects Growing Awareness Among Farmers , the science of particle size analysis is continuing to grow, and this trend can be most widely seen in the farming sector where the benefits of particle size can spur agricultural growth. Rising demand in this area can be most closely linked to the simultaneous rise in regulations surrounding deforestation. As restrictions tighten around clearing forests, experts expect particle size analysis to also grow steadily until 2022. North America, specifically, has been identified as the market leader for this drive during this period.

2. Why it Matters


Particle size analysis deals specifically with the development and manufacturing of processes and technologies that aid in determining the size of liquid or powder particles. This procedure is carried out most commonly in an environment like an analytical testing laboratory, which would deal with analytical method development and analytical method validation. All of this analytical development and corresponding findings have a major impact on consumer industries that produce particle-heavy products, such as pharmaceuticals and mining where chemical formulations need to be precise. In this way, particle size correlates directly with quality and performance of such materials. This is also true for any powder, suspension or emulsion.

3. How it Happens


So how does this process actually take place? It can be done in a number of different ways using various technologies. Two of the most common methods, sieving and laser diffraction, include sampling of bulk powders, sub-sampling of bulk samples for specimen, specimen preparation or dispersion, instrument set-up and verification, size measurements, data analysis and interpretation, and finally the report of size results.This procedure allows for a full, accurate particle size determination that can then be used to apply to quality and performance. In recent decades,laser diffraction has replaced more traditional methods of particle size analysis, such as sieving and sedimentation.

The field of particle size analysis is growing at a notable rate, thanks to the state of modern consumerism and policy regulations, like those surrounding deforestation. Modern methods of such analysis are carried out in analytical settings across the globe and involve thorough testing that results in comprehensive results. Ultimately, this data is used to measure quality and performance of products in fields across the board. Needless to say, particle size analysis is one market that isn’t going anywhere soon.