Integrated DTA and resistivity analysis

Biopharma Technology's second generation integrated differential thermal analyser (DTA) and resistivity analysis system, Lyotherm 2, is now available

Said to be essential for any scientist currently involved with freeze drying development work, the Lyotherm 2 enables two analyses to be carried out at the same time, in a single combined unit.

The DTA allows determination of glass transition (Tg') and eutectic (Teu) temperatures, while the resistivity analysis measures a function of the impedance of the material (Zsin), which can be related to critical events occurring in the frozen material, so you can select lyophilisation parameters on a rational and product-specific basis.

DTA measures the thermal differences between an analyte solution and reference material (typically water).

Any differences in thermal events are monitored throughout the cooling and warming cycle.

Raw data are exported directly into Microsoft Excel where the temperature differential between analyte and control solution are plotted against the set temperature.

Endothermic events may be attributed to melting events or glass transitions within a frozen formulation, while exothermic events may be attributable to crystallisation or molecular rearrangement phenomena, all of which may be pertinent to the freeze-drying behaviour of a formulation.

Electrical resistance/impedance measurements can provide invaluable information about the behaviour of a frozen material in terms of molecular mobility.

The measured resistance/impedance data are exported directly into Microsoft Excel and plotted against temperature.

The resulting plot can provide vital information as to the transitions that take place in a frozen formulation.

Building on the success of the original Lyotherm, additional benefits in this second generation system include a more sensitive DTA giving the user greater accuracy of results, smaller sample volumes and more controlled cooling and heating.

Further features include a compact benchtop footprint and a flexible options package - allowing the user to choose a system to suit their budget.

All this makes for a highly cost effective, user-friendly system at the fraction of the cost of a DSC system, says Biopharma.

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