Microspheres Online

Everything about microspheres and research utilizing precision spherical particles.

Does Particle Shape Matter? Roundness and Sphericity

Measuring Roundess of Microsparticles

Does Shape of Microparticles Matter? Particle shape plays a critical role in how the particles travel, behave, interact with each other and their environment. It also influences particle flow characteristics. Flow characteristics (ball-bearing effect) of spherical particles: Spherical shape of microparticles is often desirable because spheres and microspheres are well-known for their ball-bearing effect. They … Read more

Are Microplastics Toxic to the Environment? Literature Review

Are Microplastics Toxic? Effects of Microplastics on the Environment

What are microplastics? Microplastic (MP) is a broad term used to describe microscopic plastics with sizes ranging from 1um to 5mm . Anything less than that can be considered nanoplastic (NP), which is also prevalent in the ocean. The shapes of microplastics can vary from fragments, fibers, pellets, film, and spheres. The properties such as … Read more

Use of Polyethylene Spheres to Study Effect of Microplastics Transport in Soil

Effect on Microplastics Transport

Despite great general benefits derived from plastic use, accumulation of plastic material in ecosystems, and especially microplastics, is becoming an increasing environmental concern. Microplastic has been extensively studied in aquatic environments, with very few studies focusing on soils. Overview of the study on microplastics transport in soil: Scientists tested the idea that microplastic particles (polyethylene … Read more

Janus Particles – Properties and Applications

Bichromal (half-white half-black or any other color) Microspheres, Janus Particles

What are Janus Particles? Named after two-faced Roman god Janus who looks to both the future and the past, Janus particles are typically microscopic spheres composed of two different regions. Originally the term “janus particles” was used in reference only to particles that had a hydrophobic surface on one hemisphere and a hydrophilic surface on … Read more

Microspheres Simulate Contamination in Self-Cleaning Gecko-Inspired Adhesives

Image of Self-cleaning Adhesive of Gecko's Toes

When choosing a controlled tracer particle for process development and troubleshooting, there are many benefits when microspheres simulate contamination. Colored and fluorescent microspheres provide a highly visible marker of controlled size and shape, allowing scientists and engineers to observe and troubleshoot the process in order to best understand where the contamination is coming from, develop … Read more

Silica Nanospheres as Photonic Nanostructure Found in the ‘Disco’ Clam Ctennoides Ales

Silica Nanospheres in a disco’ or ‘electric’ clam Ctenoides ales

Silica Nanospheres in a Photonic Display Scientists from University of California at Berkeley have recently discovered that a strange naturally occurring bright display of the ‘disco’ or ‘electric’ clam Ctenoides ales is actually a photonic display created by a layer of silica nanospheres. The display functions solely by reflecting light. Their article was published in … Read more

Microbeads for Fish Egg Simulation: Dispersion and Recruitment

Microbeads for Fish Egg Simulaton

Scientists who study fish require artificial micro-particles to simulate fish eggs and their behavior in water. In order to accurately simulate the fish eggs it is important to use particles of the proper size and buoyancy/density. Particles with accurate size ranges and densities are now available.

Fluorescent Tracer Microspheres – Properties and Applications

Fluorescent Tracer Particles

Fluorescent microspheres are round spherical particles that emit bright colors when illuminated by UV light. Ability to emit intense color under UV (black light) illumination provides contrast and visibility of microspheres relative to background materials.