Labs across various industries use microfluidizers and homogenizers, with some of the most notable sectors being technology, pharmaceuticals and food. Both machines perform a similar duty by reducing particle fluid size to create uniformity.
If your goal with lab equipment is to ensure all material particles receive the same treatment, these tools can assist. However, if you want to select the right option, you should understand how each machine works and its differences.
How Do Microfluidizers Work?
Microfluidization describes the process of reducing fluid particles to a microscopically small level — much smaller than what traditional homogenizers can achieve. Here's a brief breakdown of how a microfluidizer works:
- It utilizes high-pressure pumps to push fluid at a pressure of 5,000 to 30,000 pounds per square inch, depending on the specific application and microfluidizer model.
- The fluid moves through a channel until it reaches an interaction chamber.
- In this chamber, the fluid travels at high velocities, which creates impact.
- The impact breaks particles into smaller sizes.
- The result is reduced but uniform particles.
Microfluidizers typically use one of two types of interaction chambers. The Y-type splits fluids into two streams that collide, making it ideal for processes involving two types of liquids. A Z-type interaction chamber sends the fluids into a zigzag channel, causing them to collide with its surface. This type of interaction chamber is best for processes that involve liquids and solid matter.
Common Microfluidizer Applications
Microfluidizers are common in many laboratories because they're versatile and practical. For example, in the medical field, microfluidics helps analyze samples of blood, saliva and cell tissue to provide diagnoses. Some of the other most common microfluidizer applications are:
- Life sciences: One of the most popular applications within this space is the lab-on-a-chip. This technology enables scientists to perform all the essential duties they would in a lab via a microfluidic chip. For example, a lab-on-a-chip allows lab technicians to investigate cell cultures and implement pH monitoring.
- Drug development: Because they can isolate single cells, microfluidizers allow researchers to examine drug administration and cell reactions more in-depth. Experts can use this information to improve drug development and achieve better results.
- Research: Researchers across multiple fields, including commercial, can use microfluidics to study and test production. They can break down the different components of their manufacturing processes to find ways of increasing productivity and reducing costs. They can also experiment with sterilization via microfluidization to ensure accurate testing.
- Food packaging: Thanks to the ability to sterilize products, the food industry often uses microfluidizers to treat both packaging and food. They create sterile packaging and extend the shelf life of specific consumables.
How Do Homogenizers Work?
Just like microfluidizers, homogenizers use high-pressure pumps alongside homogenizing valves. Their pressure range is generally lower than that of microfluidizers, typically ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds per square inch. The valve works as follows:
- It restricts the flow of liquid, which builds pressure, allowing the fluid to move through the opening of the valve at a high velocity.
- It can also adjust the size of the gap through which the liquid flows. Gap size affects the impact area, leading to different outputs.
Homogenizers also reduce size in two ways. The first is when the fluid flows through the opening of the valve and experiences turbulence, which breaks down the particle size. The second is when the fluid exits the valve and the pressure drops, which decreases particle size even further due to cavitation,
Beyond high-pressure homogenizers, rotor-stator and ultrasonic can also be viable options for different labs.
Common Homogenizer Applications
Homogenization has various functions. One of the most popular applications is homogenization in the dairy process, where it breaks up fat globules to distribute them evenly throughout milk. This prevents milk from separating, which would cause the cream to rise to the top.
Other homogenization applications include:
- Cell fractionation: In biotech, researchers use cell recovery to create bioproducts. Homogenization helps enable cell disruption, making it easy to preserve components.
- Emulsification: Ensuring microorganisms are inactive helps with food and medicine production. Heat treatment is an option for this, but since it may harm product quality, homogenization may be a better solution.
- Compound extraction: It's easier to extract certain chemicals when their compounds are stable, such as after homogenization.
- Enzyme activation: Homogenization pressure can target certain enzymes and activate — or deactivate — them.
- Deagglomeration: In personal care and beauty products, homogenization can provide deagglomeration to disperse particles evenly and create uniform consistency.
Selecting the Right Option
Overall, microfluidizers and homogenizers can be used in many similar applications, such as emulsification, cell disruption, chemical processing and nanoparticle dispersion, but they stand apart based on their different levels of particle size reduction. Some other differences include that microfluidizers typically have a more consistent pressure than homogenizers, and homogenizers require more input since they need constant monitoring. Further, microfluidizers are often used for small-scale tasks, while homogenizers can be scaled up for larger production volumes.
Beyond these distinctions, here are a few additional points to consider:
- Desired output: You want to choose a machine that gives you the results you need. If you rely heavily on extremely small particle sizes and consistent output, microfluidizers are the best solution. If those aspects aren't as important to you, a homogenizer might fit your lab.
- Lab budget: Because of their ability to provide consistent, quality results, microfluidizers generally come with a higher price tag than homogenizers. Purchasing used equipment from a reliable supplier can be an effective way to get the equipment you need without going over budget.
- Maintenance and safety: Homogenizers require more input and monitoring than microfluidizers, and if you don't consistently keep an eye on them, you may not achieve the desired results. Additionally, both types of machines have unique maintenance requirements. For example, microfluidizers can require more precise cleaning due to their high shear forces and small channel sizes.
Choose New Life Scientific for Your Lab Equipment Needs
At New Life Scientific, we sell a variety of used lab equipment that can meet your needs and budget. Some of our products are like-new, and others have minor superficial damage but perform as expected otherwise. We offer an array of lab machines and tools from industry-leading brands, such as Baker, Thermo Scientific and more.
Additionally, we offer a comprehensive product warranty, so you can have even greater peace of mind that you're investing in quality equipment. Explore our available microfluidizers and homogenizers today to get started. Have questions about our selection or a specific product? Reach out to our team for assistance with your purchase!
