title: Rapid particle size measurement using 3D surface imaging.
abstract: The present study introduces a new three-dimensional (3D) surface image analysis technique in which white light illumination from different incident angles is used to create 3D surfaces with a photometric approach. The three-dimensional features of the surface images created are then used in the characterization of particle size distributions of granules. This surface image analysis method is compared to sieve analysis and a particle sizing method based on spatial filtering technique with nearly 30 granule batches. The aim is also to evaluate the technique in flowability screening of granular materials. Overall, the new 3D imaging approach allows a rapid analysis of large amounts of sample and gives valuable visual information on the granule surfaces in terms of surface roughness and particle shape.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland. ira.soppela@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Ira
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Soppela
authors.forename: Sari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Airaksinen
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hatara
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Räikkönen
authors.forename: Osmo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Antikainen
authors.forename: Jouko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yliruusi
authors.forename: Niklas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sandler
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002482:Cellulose; C109691:microcrystalline cellulose