5 Exciting Common Features of the NEW Zetasizer Pro and Ultra

by Malvern Panalytical, Wednesday, 8th May 2019

Authored in collaboration with Darrell Bancarz, Malvern Panalytical Product Manager – Nanomaterials.

The Zetasizer range of instruments are the most widely used dynamic light scattering (DLS) instruments on the market, measuring particle and molecular size from less than a nanometer to several microns.

The newly released Zetasizer Pro and Zetasizer Ultra are the latest editions to the Zetasizer range, combining DLS and electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) to measure the size, or Zeta potential, of colloids, nanoparticles, polymers and proteins.

The new Zetasizer systems add ease and performance to the popular Zetasizer Nano range, offering unique updated measurement features, hardware capabilities and software intelligence that are unmatched in the market.

The top five common features and updates of the Zetasizer Pro and Ultra systems are the following:

1 – NEW Data Acquisition Algorithm – Adaptive Correlation 

Adaptive Correlation offers a new approach to the acquisition of data during a DLS experiment. Traditionally, noise introduced into the signal from transitory events, such as a speck of dust diffusing through the measurement zone, have been handled by taking long sub-runs to “average” the noise out and then by rejecting sub-runs that show the highest count rates (ones most likely to contain contamination) or even worse by asking the user to choose a size range and constraining the analysis to that region. With Adaptive Correlation, we are not discarding or diluting any data; we are classifying it. This feature separates the most common or “steady state” sample signal from the least common or transitory signals that are likely to contain external noise (such as from dust or other contaminants), allowing you to obtain reproducible particle size data faster and with minimal sample preparation. As no data is thrown away, you can gain insight into how the distribution would look without any classification and also into frequency and size of the transitory results – with no “averaging” of their contribution. More insight, more reproducible and faster measurements are the benefits offered from this feature.

2 – Size Quality Guidance

A deep learning, artificial neural network taught with hundreds of thousands of data sets analyzes your correlation data and shows you how you can improve your sample or data set; this feature offers an empowered data quality system for assessment of any size data quality issues, with clear advice on how to improve results. We recognize that we cannot all be experts in every technique and that confidence in your data is paramount to many researchers in obtaining their goals.

3 – Optical Filter Wheel 

An optical filter wheel is incorporated into both systems to allow Non-Invasive Back Scatter (NIBS®) size measurement to be made with a fluorescence filter, or horizontal and vertical polarization filters for DDLS measurements. This feature provides versatility to measure over a wide concentration range, improving signal-to-noise without impairing overall system sensitivity. The polarizers allow easy identification of rotational diffusion components that can affect your overall results or simply recognize that your sample has a non-spherical shape.

4 – Constant Current Zeta 

The addition of Constant Current Mode for zeta potential and electrophoretic mobility measurements in high conductivity media reduces the likelihood of errors associated with charge screening at higher ion concentrations. Constant current automatically switches on with the Zetasizer Pro and Ultra systems so that we maintain an even applied current during the measurement, obtaining more accurate Zeta potential.

5 – NEW Software Platform – ZS Xplorer Software Suite 

The new ZS Xplorer software offers intuitive, guided workflows that make setting up a method and performing a measurement easy and straight-forward; once set up, and to conserve valuable time and effort, these methods can be easily duplicated, edited and/or saved for future use. This revolutionary software employs an artificial intelligence (AI) led approach to data quality assessment, bringing your attention to any potential measurement issues and providing guidance on how to improve them.

Fast, Simple, Intelligent Comprehensive Analysis Systems

Overall, the Zetasizer Pro and Ultra systems provide a comprehensive analysis of your materials for a wide range of application uses through the combination of novel measurement capabilities with advanced data analysis. Examples include the following: characterizing the size and surface charge of colloids and nanoparticles; screening protein formulations for colloidal stability and the presence of aggregates; and, assessing the shelf-life and stability of complex formulations.

Sign up for a demonstration with us today to see what these new systems can do for you and your application!

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