DLS FAQ: Data Portability & Archiving

In order for DLS data to be relatable to a physically meaningful parameter, frequently size, it is necessary to know a number of other parameters describing either the solvent, measurement conditions, or the configuration of a given hardware system. Brookhaven fully supports export of raw data, specially DLS autocorrelation functions, for fitting using more advanced algorithms. […]

Applications: DLS
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesBI-200SMParticle SolutionsParticle Explorer

Posted on: Apr 29, 2021

Phosphatidylcholine and Stearylamine molecules

Characterizing Liposomes with DLS and Zeta Potential: Tools for Drug Delivery

Summary Liposomes are a common system used to encapsulate and deliver bioactive cargo molecules. In contrast to simple emulsions (oil-in-water or water-in-oil), these lipid vesicles are composed of well-defined bilayer structures and have aqueous interiors. These bilayers encircle the molecule of interest, often proteins or oligonucleotides such as DNA or RNA. These vesicle structures are inherently […]

Applications: BiopharmaDrug DeliveryZetaParticle Sizing
Instruments: NanoBrook Series

Posted on: Mar 26, 2021

migrating bands in Brookhaven's DCP centrifuge

A Useful Tool for Measuring Carbon Black: Disc Centrifuge Photosedimentometry (DCP)

Summary An industrial carbon black sample was used for the purpose of demonstrating the efficacy of the Brookhaven Instruments DCP. Due to the intrinsically differential nature of the results, it is possible to identify the existence of multiple species even from raw, uncorrected results. The basis of this technique is sedimentation, meaning that larger particles […]

Applications: Carbon BlackParticle Sizing
Instruments: BI-DCP

Posted on: Feb 16, 2021

disc centrifuge sedimentometry diagram illustration

Principles of Operation for Disc Centrifuges

Both disc centrifuges separate particles according to size and density, making these methods ideal for high-resolution particle sizing. The Disc Centrifuge Photosedimentometer (DCP) uses visible light for detection, whereas the X-Ray Disc Centrifuge (XDC) uses a compact X-Ray source. Despite different sources of contrast, the two techniques both operate on similar principles. In both cases, […]

Posted on: Feb 16, 2021

DLS FAQ: The Baseline Index

The baseline index, abbreviated as BI, is a metric that can be used to quantify the impact of dust contamination on a given DLS measurement. Within the vernacular of light scattering, dust is often loosely defined, referring to any minor component too large to properly disperse, moving due to gravity, rather than Brownian motion.

Applications: DLS
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesParticle SolutionsParticle Explorer

Posted on: Jan 26, 2021

Role of Light Scattering in Production of Performance Polymers and Other Functional Materials

The majority of modern performance polymers are designed to enhance a particular material property. A number of high-profile engineering plastics, resins, and gels are made from these kinds of precursors. Light scattering can be used to solve many of the unique problems encountered when working with unusual functional plastics and associated polymeric precursors.

Applications: ManufacturingMaterialsMolecular WeightPolymers
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesBI-200SM

Posted on: Dec 17, 2020

Automation of pH-titrations using the BI-ZTU

The Brookhaven Instruments Autotitrator (BI-ZTU) provides researchers with a tool to study the effect of pH on zeta potential (ζ).

Applications: TitrationsZeta
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesBI-ZTU

Posted on: Nov 25, 2020

Why are DLS Measurements at High Concentration Difficult?

Despite the versatility of the DLS technique, there are several important considerations that cannot be ignored when using light scattering to characterize high-concentration solutions.

Applications: DLSPolymersSample Prep
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesBI-200SM

Posted on: Nov 18, 2020

Why is Ionic Strength Relevant to DLS Measurements?

The measurement of particle size by dynamic light scattering (DLS) is heavily dependent on the stability of materials being investigated. Interactions between simple, spherical, colloidal particles are most frequently described by a balance between attractive and repulsive interactions.

Applications: ColloidsDLSHigh SaltPolymersZeta
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesBI-200SM

Posted on: Nov 12, 2020

Data analysis and distribution weighting: FAQ for DLS users

Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) is a popular technique for obtaining size distributions of dispersible colloidal particles as well as other nanomaterials. As with all other light scattering based techniques, the intensity of scattered light is strongly skewed towards larger particles, something that must be considered when analyzing samples with two or more major constituents.

Applications: DLS
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesBI-200SM

Posted on: Oct 29, 2020

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