As part of our ‘meet the team’ series of blogs, we are sharing some key information and an insight into our team at Microfluidics. As a supplier of Microfluidizer® high shear fluid processors, not only do we develop and manufacture market leading equipment, we offer advice and best practice guidance across a range of industries. Our Applications Team utilize their rich knowledge and vast experience to help our customers achieve their processing goals, via proof of concept tests, process optimizations or process scale-ups.
Meet Dr Yang Su
Yang Su, Ph.D., is the Manager of New Technology and Applications at Microfluidics International Corporation, part of the IDEX Material Processing Technologies Group.
An expert in numerical simulations such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEM), Yang is responsible for the overall direction and development of new technology and new application development, as well as sharing responsibility for business line strategy of new technologies. Receiving his Ph.D. degree in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the University of Toledo in Ohio, USA., Yang is a member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientist and Controlled Release Society.
“As the Manager of New Technology and Applications, I am focused on the continued development and promotion of Microfluidics cutting edge Microfluidizer® technology, to help deliver the desired outcome for each customer’s unique application" commented Yang.
Applications Specialists
Having the knowledge from a wide range of applications, Yang and his team can advise on the best use of our equipment to ensure high capacity, high efficiency usage, especially for applications such as nanoemulsions, liposomes and cell disruption.
Advice for prospects looking for Microfluidizer® Processors/ High Shear Homogenizers
- Firstly, is this the right technology or equipment to meet your application or processing goals and will it deliver the right results efficiently?
- Is this technology/equipment versatile enough to be used for adjacent or other applications?
- It is important that when selecting this type of technology, you don’t just look at the initial investment. Consider if your choice is future proof such as guaranteed process scalability, complying with regulatory requirements, total cost of ownership, etc.
Can you give some examples of how Microfluidics regularly solve customer problems?
At the beginning of any project, our team discuss the objective with the customer and gain a solid understanding of the application and processing goals.
When the application has been fully reviewed and recognized as a suitable application for Microfluidics, we move forward with a comprehensive proof of concept test to demonstrate the capability of our technology. We will also perform scale-up tests, so that the customer is confident moving forward with their production using Microfluidizer technology.
How do you deliver customer obsession?
Even after the equipment has been installed, we continue to support our customers to ensure they run an efficient process that meets their process goals.
What are the typical applications in high demand and how can you help?
All kinds of lipid-based nanoparticles such as nanoemulsions and liposomes are used extensively in many industries. The pharmaceutical industry uses them as carriers and delivery systems for low water solubility actives or vaccine adjuvants whilst the nutraceutical industry uses them to deliver flavor or nutraceutical actives.
A recent trend is to use those particles to 'solubilize' and deliver cannabinoids. Although the applications are all very different from each other, they all require certain properties to be achieved such as particle sizes within a specific range and tight distributions. This is where Microfluidizer® technology is the best available option on the market today. With unique advantages, our Microfluidizer® technology produces the best-in-class lipid-based nanoparticles and allows us to help our customers achieve results quicker and more efficiently.
Another high demand application presently is cell disruption. Our Microfluidizer® technology can achieve the highest rupture rate with the most product recovery for all kinds of cell types, from mammalian to bacterial and yeast cells.
Typical questions you are asked by prospects
Can your technology help me with my application and why is your technology superior than other methods?
For the first question, our applications team will have in-depth discussions with the customer about their applications and use their experience and process knowledge to demonstrate our capabilities.
Secondly, the unique advantages of our technology are:
- Very high and tune-able pressure and shear forces
- Uniform processing
- Guaranteed scalability
Additional benefits compared to some other technologies include efficient and excellent repeatability, no contamination and regulatory compliance.
Why would you choose Microfluidics?
When customers choose Microfluidics, they benefit not only from a superior technology that can help achieve the desired results, but also working alongside a dedicated team who put customer obsession at the forefront of all they do.
