High-resolution Single Nanoparticle Analyzer

Accurately Measure Concentration and Particle Size of any Type of Nanoparticle, both Organic and Inorganic

Product introduction

The Nanocoulter I high-resolution single particle analyzer designed by Resun (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. provides a platform for the rapid quantitative measurement of nanoparticles. When measuring such particles, electrical properties are used to identify them in electrolyte solution, without needing to rely on their optical parameters and other physical properties. The instrument can measure a single particle and quickly combine all statistical data related to particle size and concentratio. This special performance distinguishes Nanocoulter I from other nanoparticle size analyzers available on the market.

Main features:

• Nanoparticles analyzed in a single detection fluid

• Disposable detection card to avoid cross contamination

• Multidimensional data for visualization during testing

• of particle size distribution, concentration and potential data of nanoparticles, with no need for benchmarking

• Any type of nanoparticle can be measured (inorganic & organic, transparent & opaque, conductive & insulating)

• Particle size measurement range: 40-2000 nm

• Concentration measurement range: 106-1012 / ml

• Detection speed: test is completed within 5 minutes

• Required sample quantity: less than 50 μl

• Small Footprint: 400 (mm)×350 (mm)×310 (mm)

• Weight: 19 kg

Operating principle of Nanocoulter Ⅰ:

The Coulter Principle (also known as the resistive pulse sensing method, or RPS): particles suspended in an electrolyte replace the same volume of electrolyte as is passed through a small tubular hole, resulting in a transient change in resistance between two electrodes. These are located inside and outside the hole, creating a constant current circuit which generates a voltage pulse. The size and number of pulse signals are proportional to the size and number of particles. The Coulter Principle is a form of measuring individual particles in three dimensions. It not only accurately measures the particle size distribution of materials, but also measures their absolute number and concentration. In this way, the measured particle size is much closer to the real value, and is not affected by the physical and chemical properties of the sample.

Photo-etched nanoporous chip:

The Coulter Principle is used to measure the particle size range based on the pore size. By using the most advanced photo-etched nanoporous silicon-based chip, the highest processing accuracy can reach as low as 1 nm. A traditional Coulter counter can only measure micron-level particles down to 40 nm. Chips with different pore sizes can handle particles of different sizes, with a detection range from 40 nm-2000 nm.

How does Nanocoulter Ⅰ achieve single particle detection

Driven by electro-osmotic flow, the particles inside the liquid samples individually pass through the nanopores to generate an electric pulse (as shown in the figure below). Each particle passing through the nanopores can be measured, providing real-time particle size and concentration information. This represents genuine single particle detection, and is not subject to the optical or other physicochemical properties of the particles, making it suitable for particles of any material.

Animation depicting the operating principle of Nanocoulter Ⅰ

Applications:

Extracellular vesicles (exosomes)

Exosomes have shown great potential in recent years, both in terms of basic research and in clinical diagnosis and treatment, receiving widespread attention. Isolation and purification of exosomes is the first step for any form of research, meaning the identification of isolated exosomes is of particular importance. Nanocoulter Ⅰ can quickly and accurately obtain the particle size distribution and concentration information of the sample, making it a powerful assistant for exosome research.

Viruses

In terms of the development of virus treatment, drug vectors, and other routine studies, information pertaining to the number and size variations of viruses and their agglomerates are very important. Nanocoulter Ⅰ can quickly and accurately provide data on the concentration, agglomerate concentration and particle size distribution of individual viruses. Even very slight differences in concentration (2 times) and particle size differences (10 nm) can be accurately characterized. With its ultra-high resolution, Nanocoulter Ⅰ has become a quality control index for many enterprises engaged in production and R&D within this industry.

Liposomes

Liposomes consist of lecithin and ceramide. They are tiny, dual-layer vesicles that resemble the structure of biological membranes, and can be fused with cell membranes. They are also non-immunogenic, making them excellent drug carriers. Nanocoulter Ⅰ can not only detect the particle size, particle size distribution, and concentration of liposome samples, but can also analyze whether the drug has been successfully loaded. This has instructive significance in the preparation of liposomes and in drug loading research.

Bacteria

Within the relevant industries, the Coulter Principle has always been regarded as the gold standard for cell counting. Nanocoulter Ⅰ has been developed on the basis of this technology, and is equipped with nano-chips of different pore sizes, enabling the accurate detection of a variety of bacteria. The product stands out thanks to its short testing time, low dosage, and in vivo detection. It requires no complex sample preparation, boasts unique advantages in terms of bacterial counting, and can simultaneously obtain particle size and particle size distribution, as well as the zeta potential for a wide variety of bacteria.

Nanomaterials

Various nanomaterials are widely used in the fields of medical diagnostics, biotechnology and industrial production. The concentration, particle size, and uniformity of nanomaterials greatly affect the performance of such products. Nanocoulter Ⅰ adopts the classical Coulter Principle (resistive pulse sensing (RPS) method), where a microsphere generates a resistive pulse, and a single sample can be loaded to measure the omni-directional information of the nanometer. Nanocoulter Ⅰ is not affected by the nature of the material being tested, and today plays an increasingly important role in the R&D, production and application of nanomaterials.

Polydispersed systems

A polydisperse particle mixture refers to a mixture consisting of different particle sizes, shapes or molecular weights. The particle size distribution of such a mixture is difficult to determine - most optical properties of the mixture, such as opacity, are unable to provide detailed information about its overall distribution. This is particularly evident when the particle size is at the sub-micron range. Unlike Nanocoulter I, products using traditional characterization instruments, such as dynamic light scattering (DLS) and optical particle tracking, are unable to analyze highly polydispersed particles.