International Online Workshop: Multidimensional Particle Characterisation

Multidimensional particle characterisation is of key importance for the understanding of complex multiphase products across all length scales from molecules to particles, complex materials and devices. Unifying principles for the comprehensive design of particulate products in particular include the characterisation of the particles along the five dimensions of size, shape, surface, structure and composition.

From 27 to 29 January 2021, the Erlangen Collaborative Research Center 1411 on “Design of Particulate Products”, the Priority Programme 2045 “Highly specific and multidimensional fractionation of fine particle systems with technical relevance” and the LUM company jointly organised an international workshop on multidimensional characterisation of particle systems. In 19 talks, experts from academia and industry reviewed the status quo of multidimensional particle characterisation using state-of-the-art and newly developed methodologies. It was demonstrated that disperse properties of particles can be monitored in situ by advanced spectroscopic and scattering techniques. Gas phase analytics serve as powerful tool to characterise air born particles as well as particles from liquid phase using spraying technologies. Cutting-edge tomographic TEM- and X-ray-microscopy-based techniques open unique views into the internal microstructure of single particles, particle agglomerations, porous materials and photonic structures on different length scales. Analytical ultracentrifugation with its unprecedented accuracy, resolution and reproducibility allows determination of the band gap vs. size dependencies of quantum dots or the measurement of the full 2-dimensional distributions of plasmonic nanorods in one single experiment.

A special emphasis was further laid upon the identification of key challenges and intersections of the different techniques. The latter is of particular importance, as particle systems of continuously increasing complexity require diverse and multi-instrumental approaches to tackle their multidimensional properties. Overall, the workshop promoted intense discussions and exchange between the ~ 220 participants and may thus become further the nucleus of future joint activities.

Workshop Programme

(All times provided in the programme are at CET – Central European Time)