Malvern and Sympatec
Science

Difference Between Malvern and Sympatec

Introduction of Malvern and Sympatec

Malvern along with Sympatec are two of the leading manufacturers of analysis tools for particle sizes. Malvern has a long and storied history within this field with its Mastersizer Morphology, and Zetasizer series, which employ laser diffraction, as well as dynamic light scattering technology.

These analyzers are used in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals as well as food, and chemicals.  Malvern excels by providing the largest range of sizes for particles, as well as the capability of automated measurement.

Sympatec is a leader in manufacturing analyzers like their HELOS, QICPIC, and NANOPHOX series, which use image analysis as well as dynamic image analysis (DIA) technology to characterize powders as well as environmental monitoring and quality control with their analyzers that boast high-resolution measurements.

What is Malvern?

Malvern is an established manufacturer and provider of analytical instruments and solutions that specialize in particle size characterization and analysis, dating back to 1968 when they opened a shop in Malvern, Worcestershire in the United Kingdom. Through innovation and years of expertise, they continue their strong legacy today.

Malvern’s Mastersizer series stands out among its many product lines with its reputation for precision and versatility in particle size analysis. Utilizing laser diffraction technology to accurately measure particle distributions across powders, emulsions, suspensions, and suspensions.

Malvern
Figure 01: Malvern

Malvern’s Mastersizer analyzers are widely utilized by industries including pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, and chemicals in order to meet regulatory requirements for product quality as well as optimize processes or optimize processes during product manufacturing and ensure regulatory compliance.

Malvern provides more than particle size analysis. Their Morphology series for automated particle shape analysis, as well as their Zetasizer series that uses dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, offers other analytical instruments designed for particle sizing measurements as well as measuring molecular weight, are two examples.

What is Sympatec?

Sympatec is a kind of particle size analyzer which employs laser diffraction techniques. It can be used to measure the sizes of particles ranging between 0.1 micrometers to 8750 micrometers.

Laser diffraction is described as the well-established and most reliable technique for light scattering in the analysis of particle sizes that span an extensive range of sizes from the submicron scale to millimeter size.

Sympatec
Figure 02: Sympatec

The Sympatec technique employs dry powder dispersion to make even the best solid powders. The principal physical diffraction configuration can be achieved through the use of an inverse laser beam. This will result in the finest optical alignment that allows for the study of extended special configurations for particle ensembles. This allows for the characterization of size over the limitations of assumptions and restrictions.

Features and Functionality of Malvern and Sympatec

Here’s a brief overview of Malvern and Sympatec particle size analyzers:

Malvern:

  • Utilizing Laser Diffraction Technology: Malvern’s Mastersizer series analyzers employ laser diffraction to accurately measure particle size distributions. This technology is suitable for measuring particles of various sizes.
  • Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS): Malvern’s Zetasizer series uses DLS to measure particle sizes in solution and molecular weight, making it suitable for nanoparticle analysis and protein characterization.
  • Automation: Many Malvern analyzers offer automated sample handling capabilities, reducing manual intervention and increasing workflow efficiency.
  • Versatility: Malvern offers an extensive array of analyzers, such as their Morphologi series for particle shape analysis. Their instruments can be utilized across industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals.
  • User-Friendly Software: Malvern analyzers are widely renowned for their user-friendly software interfaces, making them accessible to people at various levels of expertise.

Sympatec:

  • Dynamic Image Analysis (DIA): Sympatec’s analyzers such as those in its HELOS series employ dynamic image analysis to provide detailed particle size and shape data – particularly useful when applications require precise shape characterization.
  • Sympatec instruments: Sympatec instruments are widely renowned for their high-resolution measurements, which ensure accurate particle size determination – especially in specialist applications like powder characterization.
  • Photon Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy (PCCS): Sympatec’s NANOPHOX series utilizes PCCS for nanoparticle sizing and stability analyses, offering insight into their behavior at nanoscale levels.
  • Specialized Applications: Sympatec offers tailored particle analysis services to industries with unique particle analysis requirements, including powder characterization and environmental monitoring.
  • Global Support and Service Network: Sympatec maintains an extensive global support and service network to provide customers with timely assistance and maintenance services.

Performance and Accuracy

Comparing Malvern and Sympatec particle size analyzers, several factors must be taken into consideration to ascertain which instrument best fulfills your specific needs:

Performance:

  • Measurement Range: Malvern analyzers tend to have wide measurement ranges that make them suitable for measuring particles of all sizes; on the other hand, Sympatec’s analyzers with narrower measurement ranges may be better suited for high-resolution measurements or nanoparticles.
  • Speed and Throughput: Evaluate each instrument’s speed of analysis as well as any automated features available that could enhance throughput; Malvern offers such options in their analyzers.
  • Repeatability and Precision: Evaluate both companies’ repeatability and precision measurements carefully to make sure they can meet your quality control or research requirements.

Accuracy:

  • Measurement Technology: When selecting laser diffraction or dynamic image analysis as your measurement technique of choice, its effects will depend upon your application. Laser diffraction tends to work best with larger particles while dynamic image analysis provides detailed shape characterization capabilities.
  • Specialized Applications: Sympatec may provide higher precision in applications like powder characterization and nanoparticle analysis, where its instruments have been optimized for precision and accuracy in these specific areas.
  • Sample Prep: Accuracy can be compromised when sample preparation is improperly executed, so be sure to follow all relevant handling protocols in order to obtain accurate measurements with either instrument.
  • Calibration and Validation: Conducting periodic calibration and validation procedures is vital in maintaining accuracy, and both companies offer guidance and support for these processes.

key differences between Malvern and Sympatec

A comparison chart for Malvern and Sympatec particle size analyzers can help highlight the key differences between the two. Below is a simplified comparison chart:

Aspect Malvern Sympatec
Company Background Founded in 1968, UK headquarters Founded in 1987, the German headquarters
Technology Used Laser diffraction, DLS, image analysis Laser diffraction, DIA, PCCS
Product Lines Mastersizer, Morphology, Zetasizer HELOS, QICPIC, NANOPHOX
Particle Size Range A broad range with automation Specialized focus with high-resolution
Applications Pharmaceuticals, food, chemicals Pharmaceuticals, powders, environment
User-Friendliness Versatile and user-friendly Precision with specialized applications
Cost and Affordability Varies based on model and features Varies based on model and capabilities
Maintenance and Support Global presence, comprehensive support Global support and service network

Which Instrument is Right for You? Choosing Between Malvern and Sympatec

Here’s a general framework that should help guide your decision:

Choose Malvern if:

  • Malvern analyzers offer great versatility: Malvern offers a diverse selection of analyzers that are well-suited for various industries and applications, providing users with multiple sample types. If versatility is important to you, Malvern may be an ideal option.
  • Are You Needing Laser Diffraction: Malvern’s laser diffraction technology can handle particles of all sizes – from nanoparticles to larger particles. It makes the perfect choice for applications involving particle analysis at nanoscale scale.
  • You need dynamic light scattering (DLS): Dynamic light scattering (DLS) technology from the Malvern Zetasizer series could be just the right tool to meet your measuring or weight-determination needs.
  • Automation and user-friendliness are crucial: Malvern analyzers offer automated sample handling and intuitive software interfaces that make their instruments accessible to a range of users with different levels of expertise.

Choose Sympatec if:

  • Choose Sympatec when precision and specialized applications matter: Sympatec instruments that use dynamic image analysis (DIA) and high-resolution measurements excel at providing accurate particle size and shape data – essential when applied in applications requiring detailed shape characterization.
  • You focus on powder characterization: Sympatec stands out in powder characterization by offering highly accurate instruments in this field.
  • Nanoscale particle analysis is essential: If your work involves nanoparticles and their stability, Sympatec offers photon cross-correlation spectroscopy (PCCS) instruments designed specifically for this task.
  • Global support and service are essential: Sympatec understands the value of global support and service is indispensable, which is why our global service network exists to provide timely assistance and maintenance wherever you may be located.

Summary

Both Malvern as well as Sympatec are laser-diffraction particle size analyzers. One of the main differences between Malvern as well as Sympatec is the fact that Malvern is a Malvern analysis of particle sizes is able be used to detect particles ranging from 0.1 up to 3 millimeters while Sympatec can measure particles up to 3 mm. Sympatec particle analyzer could be utilized to determine the size of particle sizes in the range from 0.1 millimeters to 8750 millimeters.