Table of Contents
Introduction
Ultrasonic homogenizers, also known as sonicators, are versatile devices used to disrupt cells, emulsify samples, and achieve nanoparticle dispersion. These devices employ high-frequency sound waves to generate shear forces, breaking down particles to nanoscale levels.
Principle of Ultrasonic Homogenizers
Ultrasonic homogenizers operate by converting electrical energy into high-frequency sound waves, typically between 20 kHz and 30 kHz. These sound waves create cavitation bubbles within the liquid medium. When these bubbles collapse, they generate intense shear forces capable of disrupting cellular structures or agglomerates of particles.
Applications
Pharmaceuticals
In the pharmaceutical industry, ultrasonic homogenizers are essential for creating stable emulsions and suspensions. They are used to enhance the bioavailability of drugs by reducing particle size, which leads to increased surface area and faster dissolution rates. A typical application would include processing suspensions with a viscosity range of 10 to 500 mPas.
Biotechnology
Biotechnological applications often require the disruption of cell walls for the extraction of intracellular contents. Ultrasonic homogenizers provide a controlled method for lysing cells with minimal protein denaturation, enabling high yield recovery of DNA, RNA, and proteins.
Food Processing
Food processing utilizes ultrasonic homogenizers for emulsifying oil and water mixtures, improving texture, and stabilizing products. This technique can reduce droplet size to 100 nm, resulting in creamy textures without the addition of emulsifiers.
Nanomaterials
Ultrasonic homogenizers are integral in the production of nanomaterials, such as dispersing carbon nanotubes and graphene. The process can achieve uniform dispersion with particle sizes around 50 nm, optimized by adjusting parameters like amplitude and processing time.
Powersonic Company Solutions
Powersonic provides advanced ultrasonic homogenizer solutions tailored to various industries. Their models range from 50 W to 2500 W, catering to laboratory-scale to industrial-scale requirements. Features include adjustable amplitude (20% to 100%) and built-in temperature monitoring to ensure sample integrity during processing.
References
- Gogate, P.R., Kabadi, A.M., A Review of Applications of Cavitation in Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology Progress, 2009.
- Santos, H.M., Capelo, J.L., Trends in Ultrasonic-Based Equipment for Analytical Sample Treatment, Talanta, 2007.
- Powersonic Product Catalog, 2023.
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