Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISCEncapsulation of active ingredients and active substances
for permanent sealing and controlled release
The Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC has installed a patented encapsulation platform based on UV-curing shell systems.
Challenge
The encapsulation of liquids, i.e. the portioning and surrounding of the drops with a suitable bowl, is a high art. Behind every encapsulated product is a large individual development effort. In particular, aqueous solutions, suspensions and emulsions have always posed a major challenge. A robust multi-purpose encapsulation instrument was developed as a solution, which can be operated according to the plug-and-produce principle with a library of different shell materials and can be adapted to new encapsulation tasks with little conversion effort.
System
The process is based on the vibration-induced generation of droplets using concentric nozzles. It preferentially addresses the area of the so-called "microcapsules" in the size range from 0.3 to 5 mm. The curing of the capsules takes place in free fall with high radiation intensity and shortest exposure time (typically 5/100 seconds), which results in the low load of the contents on the one hand and the maximum curing of the shell materials on the other hand. Conversion rates of well over 90 % push the residual monomer content to the level of the detection limit and thus ensure a new product quality.
A library of different tray systems is available ready for use, borrowed from the paint, varnish and toner industries, which are pre-classified under the headings multipurpose, barrier and release. In particular, there is a stock of so-called ethoxylated shell systems with built-in weak points in the form of polyethylene glycol units, which can be used for the controlled release of active substances by swelling, osmotic blasting or pH-induced degradation. Steam and aroma barrier materials are also available and in continuous improvement.
Offer
Individual encapsulation of solutions with long-term storage properties and instantaneous or controlled release, variation of shell materials and automated production. Advanced encapsulation platform for encapsulation sensitive products in micro- or macrocapsules.