Microspheres Online

Everything about microspheres and research utilizing precision spherical particles.

3 Scenarios When Density of Microspheres Matters in Research

Does Density of Microspheres Matter for Fluid Suspension?

When is the density of microspheres important? Density of microspheres controls the buoyancy of each particle and its behavior in a system or process. Let’s look at three scenarios: (1) suspension of microspheres in a specific fluid, (2) fluid flow, performing flow visualizations, or particle image velocimetry, and (3) simulation or modeling of objects with specific density.

Particle Dispersion Experiments in Plant Canopies

UV Fluorescent Tracer Microspheres

Fluorescent Microspheres in Particle Dispersion Experiment Fluorescent microspheres produced by Cospheric LLC were used as part of ongoing work to to conduct particle dispersion experiments in plant canopies and study the mechanisms of fungal epidemiology in vineyards. The University of Utah in collaboration with USDA Labs in Corvallis, OR performed five field particle dispersion campaigns … Read more

Matching the Density of Particle and Fluid for PIV Applications

Product Code: UVPMS-BG-1.00 (Cospheric LLC) Fluorescent Microspheres Precision Density of 1.00g/cc

Density of particle vs. density of fluid in particle image velocimetry: Many flow visualization experiments are done in water but there are a variety of other liquids and even water-based solutions that will have differing densities whose velocity fields are being mapped or will be in the future. Therefore, having seed particles to match these … Read more

12th International Symposium on Particle Image Velocimetry

Sourcing Microspheres - Monodisperse Silica

Cospheric participated in the 12th International Symposium on Particle Image Velocimetry in Busan, Korea, with the hope of sharing knowledge about seeding particles involved in PIV research and advancements in microsphere technology which would benefit the work being done in flow visualization. Through conversations with many attendees we were able to gather information on some … 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

Neutrally Buoyant Particles – What Are They, What Are They Used For, How to Use Them?

Suspension of microspheres in water enables the visualization and characterization of fluid flow and testing the capability of devices to withstand particulate matter in the fluid stream, ensuring that microspheres do not settle and do not float on the surface. Most of these polymer microspheres are at least moderately opaque and clearly visible in water, clear or translucent liquids.

FDA-Approved Microspheres

What makes a microsphere FDA-approved?

In order to tell whether the microsphere can be used in cosmetics, food, or medical devices it is important to look at the raw materials that are incorporated into the microsphere during manufacturing process.? For example, unpigmented or clear polyethylene microspheres supplied by Cospheric in sizes from 10 micron to 1000 micron meet the quality requirements of the US FDA as specified in 21 CFR 172.888 and 21 CFR 178.3720.? Specific grade of polyethylene used in manufacturing of these microspheres is? FDA-approved for food applications in chewing gum base, on cheese and raw fruits and vegetables, and as a defoamer in food.

Color additives are subject to a strict system of approval under U.S. law (FD&C Act), sec. 721; 21 U.S.C. 379e. Color additive violations are a common reason for detaining imported cosmetic products offered for entry into this country. If a product contains a color additive, by law [FD&C Act, Sec. 721; 21 U.S.C. 379e; 21 CFR Parts 70 and 80] you must adhere to requirements for:

  • Approval. All color additives used in cosmetics (or any other FDA-regulated product) must be approved by FDA. There must be a regulation specifically addressing a substance’s use as a color additive, specifications, and restrictions.
  • Certification. In addition to approval, a number of color additives must be batch certified by FDA if they are to be used in cosmetics (or any other FDA-regulated product) marketed in the U.S.
  • Identity and specifications. All color additives must meet the requirements for identity and specifications stated in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
  • Use and restrictions. Color additives may be used only for the intended uses stated in the regulations that pertain to them. The regulations also specify other restrictions for certain colors, such as the maximum permissible concentration in the finished product.

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Phosphorescent Microspheres – Long Afterglow Particles

Phosphorescent microspheres in particle sizes 10 to 600 microns are now available from Cospheric LLC. These phosphorescent particles are 90% spherical and appear to be off-white under ordinary daylight or regular room illumination.? However, when the lights are turned off these phosphorescent particles exhibit phosphorescent yellow-green after-glow. The spheres have tight particle size distributions and … Read more

Density Marker Beads – Microspheres with Specific gravity of 1.065 and 1.075

In the biomedical industry researchers are sometimes looking for cells having targeted specific gravities. In order to locate these cells in test tubes it is useful to have colored marker beads which will show where the delineation between specific densities occurs. Two microsphere products having densities of 1.065 g/cc and 1.075 g/cc were recently released. These spheres are offered with density tolerances of ?0.005 g/cc enabling excellent stratification, and bright blue and red coloration for high visibility with the unaided eye.

Microspheres: Technologies and Global Markets

An extensive market research report titled Microspheres: Technologies and Global Markets was recently published by BCC Research marketing firm. The microspheres report examines the spherical microparticles used as components in many advanced materials and composites, in the healthcare and personal care industries, and in many specialty research and development applications. The report estimates the size … Read more