Shimadzu Scientific
Instruments introduces a particle size measurement principle called Induced
Grating (IG), which allows users to measure nanoparticles with high sensitivity
and reproducibility. Shimadzu's new IG-1000 particle size analyzer applies the
IG method to measure single nanoparticles.
Typical measurement methods use dynamic light scattering (DLS). The IG-1000
offers three advantages over DLS: The sensitivity is the same when measuring
a 1 nm particle or 100 nm particles, whereas, with DLS, a 1 nm particle is 1
million times less sensitive than a 100 nm particle, and interferences from
clustering or contamination are significantly reduced or eliminated. Interferences
are a major challenge for the DLS technique.
The IG method eliminates interferences by using optical signals emitted by
the diffraction grating formed by the particles. Even in the single nano region,
users can obtain a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio and stable measurement.
Shimadzu's IG-1000 offers a simple three-step workflow to inject the sample,
insert the electrode and begin analysis. Using the IG method, it can measure
particles in the 0.5 to 200 nm range in about 30 seconds, from measurement start
to displayed results.
The IG method also ensures high reproducibility, which removes the imprecision
that comes with particle analysis in the single nano range. Comparison with
raw data of diffracted light is possible, so users can perform rough validation
of the measurement results easily. The IG method is also resistant to contamination,
eliminating the need for measuring in a clean room. Even if the sample is mixed
with small amounts of foreign particles, data is captured reliably without filtering.
In addition, users can evaluate mixed samples with the IG method because the
signal size does not depend on particle size. This is not the case for other
methods based on scattered light, which can make the evaluation of mixed samples
difficult.
For its innovation in the field of nanoparticle measurement and analysis, Shimadzu
received a bronze award in this year's Pittcon® Editor's Choice Awards.