Colloidal Polymers

New and exciting applications are tantalizing goals for many researchers and, with uses ranging from new sensitive pregnancy testing kits to military camouflage, polymer chemistry has an intriguing future. The Sussex Polymer Group is based in the School of Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science at the University of Sussex. It has two full-time faculty members […]

Applications: ColloidsPolymers
Instruments: BI-DCP

Size Measurement of the Proteins RNAse A and Proteinase K and the Effects of Protein Binding

Written by: Douglas Mankiewicz, Bruce B. Weiner Ph.D., Yuanming Zhang Ph.D., and Jean-Luc Brousseau Ph.D. Abstract: Brookhaven Instruments was supplied two protein samples by Northeastern University. The protein size was measured using Brookhaven’s NanoBrook Omni instrument. The proteins were measured individually and then the samples were combined in to one mixture to determine if protein […]

Applications: BiopharmaEnzymes
Instruments: NanoBrook Series

Zooming in on Zeta Potential

The determination of electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential is crucial to understanding the behavior and stability of colloids and suspensions over time. Traditional light scattering methods that are based upon the shifted frequency spectrum are relatively insensitive and can fail when confronted with high viscosity oils, non-polar liquids, high salt concentrations or particles that are […]

Applications: NanoParticlesTitrations
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesBI-SM50

BI-MwA; Real-time Molecular Weights

Breaking New Ground in Polymer Science with Molecular Weight Analysis by Wayne F. Reed The Physics Department at Tulane University (New Orleans, LA) is an acknowledged center for experimental research into solid state, atomic, optical, and polymer physics. Materials science and biophysics are also specialties. A nine-person group led by the author within the Physics […]

Applications: AggregationGelsPolymers
Instruments: BI-MwA

Measuring the size and surface charge of exosomes, microvesicles and liposomes

By Bruce B. Weiner, Ph.D. Introduction Vesicles as well as micelles, and microemulsions were samples of interest in the early days of what became dynamic light scattering1. This occurred in the 1970’s even before the invention of the word nanotechnology and the first biotech revolution. Not until the 1990’s, however, were DLS instruments small enough, […]

Applications: Self-assembled
Instruments: NanoBrook Series

UV absorbers

Once favored only by lifeguards and mountaineers, sunscreens based on zinc oxide are now one of the coolest forms of skincare. New transparent zinc oxide formulations rely on accurate measurement of particle size distribution to combine cosmetic appeal with powerful ultraviolet-stopping ability. Zinc oxide has a long and honorable history as an ingredient in skin-care […]

Applications: NanoParticles
Instruments: BI-XDC

Nano-Particles at Penn State

A research group in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University uses a Brookhaven Instruments ZetaPALS instrument to characterize the zeta potential of titania particles in very low pH environments. Themis Matsoukas, Associate Professor in the department explained: “We work with titania nanoparticles at pH between 0.5 and 2. These particles are formed […]

Applications: NanoParticles
Instruments: NanoBrook Series

What is Dynamic Light Scattering?

Particles suspended in a liquid are subject to Brownian motion. Small particles diffuse”faster”. Large particles diffuse “slower”. The time variation of the scattered intensity is analyzed by examining their auto-correlation. From this a diffusion coefficient can be derived. Please see our literature section for additional information. From the measured diffusion coefficient particle size is calculated. […]

Applications: DLSTheory
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesBI-200SM

Analysis of Virus Particles in Media by Dynamic Light Scattering

Introduction Traditional visual methods of observing virus particles in solution give a snapshot of a very small sampling volume, while the technique of particle analysis using dynamic light scattering yields an ensemble average of particles present in the solutions. Virus particles incubated in the laboratory present a challenge, as they must be grown within cells […]

Applications: BiopharmaDLSSizing
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesBI-200SM

A Horizontal View of Light Scattering for Characterizing Proteins, Polymers and Nanoparticles

By Bruce B. Weiner Ph.D. Introduction The large number of properties that can be determined using various forms of light scattering is impressive: molecular weight, radius of gyration, and second virial coefficient using static light scattering (SLS) on synthetic polymers and natural biopolymers like proteins; diffusion coefficient, hydrodynamic radius, and size distribution using dynamic light […]

Applications: BiopharmaNanoParticlesPolymers
Instruments: NanoBrook SeriesBI-200SM

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