US 10,119,900 B2 · In-line particle characterization

Abstract

Holographic video microscopy yields fast and accurate measurements of the size and refractive index of individual colloidal particles. Particle-resolved characterization offers useful insights into the progress of colloidal synthesis without relying on models for the distributions of particle sizes and properties, and can be performed rapidly enough to provide feedback for process control. The measured increase in the most probable radius over the course of the reaction is consistent with the LaMer model for colloidal growth. Uniformity in the measured refractive index suggests that the spheres grow with uniform density. The joint distribution of size and refractive index provides evidence for a low rate of nucleation proceeding after the initial nucleation event. The same analysis reveals that these PDMS particles shrink by compactification in the first few days after their synthesis.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of characterizing a plurality of particles, comprising:

flowing the plurality of particles through a field of view of a holographic video microscopy system;
generating a hologram based upon holographic video microscopy of a first particle of the plurality of particles, which is within the field of view at a first time;
determining the refractive index, density, and the radius of the first particle at the first time;
generating a hologram based upon holographic video microscopy of a second particle of the plurality of particles, which is within the field of view at a second time;
and
determining the refractive index, density, and the radius of the second particle at the second time.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

In-line particle characterization

Life of this patent

In-line particle characterization

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19