Real-Time Microscopy for Crystals, Particles and Droplets

Process Understanding For Particles

Reveal Hidden Mechanisms

ParticleView real-time microscopy is an easy-to-use PAT tool that records high resolution images of particles and particle structures as they naturally exist in process. Each image is analyzed in real time providing a simple trend that follows particle size, count and shape under real process conditions.

With ParticleView, scientists observe particles as they form, grow, break and change shape, obtaining insight into the hidden mechanisms that control their process.

Understand Without Sampling

Real-Time Microscopy

ParticleView with PVM technology is probe-based - meaning scientists can rely on results captured at real process conditions and do not have to be present to obtain data. Images are recorded continuously, from the beginning until the end of every process, revealing hidden particle mechanisms and the process parameters that influence them. 

How to Use ParticleView

ParticleView connects directly to a laptop or tablet and is ready to use in seconds. No configuration or calibration is needed. Powerful software works in the background to present high quality images for every process. Images are analyzed automatically providing a process trend that follows particle size, count and shape. Scientists can replay experiments, compare images and import process parameters. Reports are generated with a single click. 

OneClick Experiment Replay

Replay entire experiments or select areas of interest to review particle mechanisms with OneClick™.

Pin and Compare Images

Simple tools allow images from any point in a process to be pinned for review or comparison

Easy Analysis

Plot parameters like temperature alongside process trends like RBI - then look at videos to determine mechanisms at key points in the process. 

Introducing EasyViewer

Accelerate the Design of Fit-for-Purpose Particles

EasyViewer is a probe-based imaging tool that captures high-resolution images of crystals, particles, and droplets as they exist in process.

Exceptional information-gathering capacity combined with excellent usability makes EasyViewer a compelling tool that scientists will enjoy using to accelerate decision making and speed process development.

Hidden Particle Mechanisms

Particles are created through a series of interdependent mechanisms such as formation, growth, agglomeration, breakage and phase change. These mechanisms directly influence the outcome of a process, but are often hidden from view and cannot be observed with traditional approaches such as offline microscopy.

Understanding which mechanisms dominate a process and determining how to control them enables scientists to design processes that consistently deliver fit-for-purpose particles.

Viewed from the outside a crystallization process may appear to be running smoothly. But hidden crystallization mechanisms are usually occurring that can dramatically impact the final outcome.

• Agglomeration can trap impurities
• Oiling out leads to poor control
• Secondary nucleation slows down filtration

This practical guide describes seven hidden mechanisms that can influence your crystallization process and outlines strategies to control them.

An infographic describing how scientists - in their own words - used ParticleView to study and avoid oiling out. 

Real Time Microscopy Publications

ParticleView in Industry

ParticleView with PVM technology has been used in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries to enable the understanding of complex crystallization, particle, and droplet processes. Discover a selection of papers below:

• Hao et al, , The Use of in Situ Tools To Monitor the Enantiotropic Transformation of p-Aminobenzoic Acid Polymorphs, Organic Process Research Development, 2012, 16 (1), pp 35–41
• Duffy et al. In situ Monitoring, Control and Optimization of a Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Crystallization, Chemical Engineering Science., 2012, 77, pp 112–121
• Barrett et al. Supersaturation Tracking for the Development, Optimization and Control of Crystallization Processes, Chem. Eng. Res. Des., 2010, 88 (8), pp 1108-1119
• Kim et al. Study of the Solid-Liquid Solubility  in the Piperazine-H2O-CO2 System Using FBRM and PVM, Energy Procedia., 2012, 23, pp 72–81•Hao et al, , The Use of in Situ Tools To Monitor the Enantiotropic Transformation of p-Aminobenzoic Acid Polymorphs, Organic Process Research Development, 2012, 16 (1), pp 35–41