Various Uses of Microsphere

Microspheres are small spherical particles, with diameters in the micrometer range (typically 1?m to 1000?m). Microspheres are sometimes referred to as micro particles. Microsphere can be manufactured from various natural and synthetic materials. Glass microspheres, polymer microspheres and ceramic microspheres are commercially available. Solid and hollow microspheres vary widely in density and, therefore, are used for different applications. Hollow microspheres are typically used as additives to lower the density of a material. Solid microspheres have numerous applications depending on what material they are constructed of and what size they are. Polyethylene and polystyrene microspheres are two most common types of polymer microspheres. Polystyrene microspheres are typically used in biomedical applications due to their ability to facilitate procedures such as cell sorting and immuno precipitation. Proteins and ligands adsorb onto polystyrene readily and permanently, which makes polystyrene microspheres suitable for medical research and biological laboratory experiments. Polyethylene microspheres are commonly used as permanent or temporary filler. The high sphericity of polyethylene microspheres, as well as availability of colored and fluorescent microspheres, makes them highly desirable for flow visualization and fluid flow analysis, microscopy techniques, health sciences, process troubleshooting and numerous research applications. Charged polyethylene microspheres are also used in electronic paper digital displays. Glass microspheres are primarily used as filler for weight reduction, retro-reflective for highway safety, additive for cosmetics and adhesives, with limited applications in medical technology. Ceramic microspheres are used primarily as grinding media. Microspheres vary widely in quality, sphericity, uniformity Microsphere of particle and particle size distribution. The appropriate microsphere needs to be chosen for each unique application. Size may be critical to the proper function of an assay, or it may be secondary to other characteristics.

Common microsphere compositions include polystyrene, poly and silica. These materials possess different physical and optical properties, which may present advantages or limitations for different applications. Polymer beads are generally hydrophobic, and as such, have high protein binding abilities. During synthesis, functional monomers may be co-polymerized with styrene or methyl methacrylate to develop beads with surface reactive groups. Functional groups may be used in covalent binding reactions, and also aid in stabilizing the suspension. Silica microspheres are inherently hydrophilic and negatively charged. Consequently, aqueous silica suspensions rarely require the use of surfactants or other stabilizers. Carboxyl and amine functioned silica spheres are available for use in common covalent coating protocols, and plain silica microspheres may be modified using a variety of Silanes to generate functional groups or alter surface properties.

The Author is associated with the Durgesh Merchandise Pvt. Ltd. and has written many contents on cenospheres, microsphere and other types of foam materials.