Determining the Shape of Particles

CILAS has developed a new solution to analyse the shape of particles using an inverted optical microscope combined with a CCD camera which is connected to a USB port to capture images.

With its unique design, the analyser can use the same sample to determine both particle size (via laser diffraction) and shape (via optical microscope technology). The analysed powder circulates inside a CILAS particle-size analyser and an analysis cell that has been specially developed to analyse particle shape.


The special Long Work Distance (LWD) lens with magnifying powers of x4, x10, x20 and x40 can be used to observe the particle shapes over an extensive range from 1 to 300 µm (other magnifying factors are available on request), with enhanced contrast, clarity and luminosity.

The images are then processed using the integrated and intuitive Expert Shape application, leading to the automatic calculation of a host of shape parameters such as shape factor and aspect ratio.
We can combine laser diffraction with shape analysis to obtain a simple yet comprehensive characterisation of particle size and morphology. By increasing the optical performance of the microscope, we generate more accurate information that is of potential interest in research and development as well as production control in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food processing, biology, and building materials.


Contact
Industrial Instrumentation Application Engineer
Dr Nicolas Marchet: marchet@cilas.com