The identification of foreign materials in a wide range of food, healthcare and industrial products as well as pharmaceutical raw materials, process intermediates and finished products. Ability to identify impurities (unknow materials, including foreign bodies) in/on a variety of products (tablets, suspensions, solutions, glass, metals, plastic, food). We have a team of scientists from various backgrounds to provide the best characterising service to analysis your material further, comprising of specialists in Chemistry, Biology, Metallurgy, Geology, Forensic Science, Botany and Food Science. Our foreign body service also includes investigatory analysis, comparative analysis & method development/validation/verification.
Confocal Raman Spectroscopy Microscope, often referred to as a confocal Raman microscope, is a analytical instrument that combines the principles of confocal microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. It is used for non-destructive, label-free chemical analysis and imaging of samples at a microscopic level. The technique offers the advantage of non-destructive analysis, allowing the study of samples in their native state without the need for extensive sample preparation. This technique can provide insights into molecular composition, phase identification, and even chemical changes within a sample over time.
Two powerful techniques commonly for imaging and elemental analysis of samples at a microscopic or even nanoscopic scale. SEM is a microscopy technique that uses a focused beam of electrons to scan the surface of a sample, generating high-resolution images that reveal the sample's topography and morphology. SEM images provide detailed information about the surface structure, texture, and morphology of the sample, with magnification ranging from around 10x to over 100,000x.
SEM can reveal features at nanometer scales and is especially useful for examining the microstructure of materials, studying biological samples, and analysing particle morphology. EDS is an analytical technique that is often integrated with SEM to provide elemental composition information about the sample's surface. It works by detecting X-rays emitted when electrons from the SEM beam interact with the sample's atoms. EDS provides qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis of the sample, allowing researchers to determine the presence and relative abundance of different elements. This information can be superimposed onto SEM images to create elemental maps, which show the spatial distribution of elements within the sample.
Combining SEM and EDS allows researchers to gain comprehensive information about a sample's morphology, structure, and elemental composition, making these techniques invaluable tools in various scientific and industrial applications, such as materials characterisation, failure analysis, and quality control.
3D imaging and metrology refer to techniques and methods used to capture and analyse three-dimensional (3D) information about objects or surfaces. These techniques provide insights into the shape, structure, and dimensions of products with high precision. These advanced measurement and imaging technologies, including micro-CT and 3D metrology scanning tools provide unparalleled accuracy and detail compared to traditional methods, not only enhancing and troubleshooting quality control and assurance in manufacturing but also accelerating R&D and innovation
Understanding the intricate microstructure of food is crucial for optimizing quality, texture, stability, and even nutritional value. Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-SEM) and Cryo-FEG-SEM are powerful tools that provide unparalleled insights into the microscopic world of food, offering significant advantages over conventional methods. Uses include visualising fine details, improving image quality with enhanced contrast and minimising beam damage which preserves the integrity of your sample.
This technique assesses colour without physically touching the object being measured. These methods are valuable for maintaining colour consistency, analysing surface properties, and ensuring product quality in a wide range of industries, particularly in manufacturing and quality control. Non-contact colour measurement and imaging methods are important, enabling precise colour matching, material identification, and the detection of defects contributing to better product design and manufacturing processes.
The CLSM is a technique which builds on standard wide field optics found in standard fluorescent microscopes where the whole field of view is illuminated and can be visualised. The confocal microscope incorporates the use of a pin hole aperture to block out, out of focus light, specific points of the material can then be imaged across a defined focal plane. This confocal aspect allows for improved resolution and imaging at a specific section of a material. This also eliminates the need to cut thin sections of materials.
Light Microscopy is a widely-used imaging technique that employs visible light and lenses to magnify samples, offering detailed examination of their structure and morphology with magnifications from 10x to 1,000x. It's essential for studying biological tissues, cells, and materials, providing clear, high-resolution, full-color images. Various modes, such as brightfield, phase contrast, and fluorescence, enhance visualisation and enable selective imaging of specific sample components. This versatile tool is indispensable in applications like materials science, foreign body investigations and biological research, allowing for comprehensive insights into sample structure and behavior.
Particle characterisation provides detailed information not only on size distribution but also on particle shape, aspect ratio, and surface texture. These properties can significantly influence solubility, dispersibility, flowability, and sensory perception. Techniques such as dynamic image analysis or microscopy-based methods help identify variability in raw materials or finished goods, enabling better control of manufacturing processes and improving product performance and stability.
