Our metrology activities focus on the development or integration of new analytical methodologies to the study of pharmaceutical based problem.

The principal areas are

• Dielectric Analysis for materials characterization
• Electrokinetics for particle characterization (including zeta-potential)
• Process Analytical Technology for pharmaceutical process control
• Micro-Fine Temperature Sensors for distributed temperature sensing.

Dielectric Analysis

Dr Geoff Smith and Evgeny Polygalov have developed and patented a novel instrument for dielectric measurements on conductive materials that permits the removal of both the sample conductivity and electrode polarization (which would otherwise obscure the measurement of the dielectric properties of the sample). This platform technology has many diverse applications in various biomedical areas, where molecular dynamics and meso-scale information on complex fluids, colloids and soft solids is required (for example, the monitoring of tissue growth within scaffolds, blood cell coagulation (and therefore diagnosis), and colloid/emulsion stability). The first application for this technology is being developed for use in a cryomicroscope to monitor the freeze-drying process.

Electrokinetics

Dr Irina Ermolina has expertise in colloid systems characterization by electrokinetic methods (including dielectrophoresis and zeta-potential measurements) and is responsible for the development of advanced instrumentation (in collaboration with the Emerging Technologies Research Group, De Montfort University) based on microfluidic systems for bioscience and healthcare (e.g. diagnostics).

Process Analytical Technology

Dr Mingzhong Li has expertise in process control engineering and a significant presence in the emerging area of process analytical technologies. Applications in process analytical technology are being targeted: (i) In-process particle sizing by Ultrasound, UV-Vis spectroscopy, image analysis and FBRM (focused beam reflectance measurement); (ii) the application of CFD for the simulation of pharmaceutical processes such as crystallisation, fluidised bed dryer and freeze-drying processes; (iii) in-process monitoring and control system for freeze-drying process.

Temperature Sensors

Dr Smith and Polygalov are developing novel flexible, micro-fine temperature sensors for distributed temperature sensing in 2-dimensional 3-dimensional objects. A spin-out venture (Muvation Ltd) has been created and through this entity the School is developing advanced materials and intelligent fabrics (with embedded sensors) for new biomedical applications (e.g. temperature measurement and validation of pcr reactions in DNA amplification and fingerprinting). Further applications are being researched for measurement within industrial processes and systems (e.g. fuel cells). More information is available through the Pharmaceutical Technologies u2i zone (requires password access).

Research Staff

• Dr Irina Ermolina
• Dr Mingzhong Li
• Dr Geoff Smith