Aligned Core Projects Funded by Industry

Spherical Agglomeration

University of Sheffield and University of Strathclyde, 2-year project

  • Developed a mechanistic understanding of spherical agglomeration (SA) process

  • Tested scale-up robustness and impact of using agglomerates into oral solid dosage forms on dissolution rates, tabletability etc

  • Evaluation of the Effects of Bridging Liquid : Solid Ratios for Formation of Spherical Agglomerates

TRANSLATED OUTPUTS: Training webinar delivered, detailed experimental report shared, workflow co-developed with the Hub research team and embedded into industry practices.

Micronised paracetamol particles suspended in heptane with water as bridging liquid

Microscopic view of snowflakes showing intricate patterns, with a scale bar indicating 500 micrometers.

Not enough bridging liquid (<0.7)

Close-up view of numerous white spherical particles of varying sizes, with a scale indicating 500 micrometers.

Optimal bridging liquid : solid ratio (0.7 - 0.8)

Microscopic view of bacteria covered in fuzzy white biofilm against a black background, with a scale bar indicating 500 micrometers.

Too much bridging liquid (>0.8), paste formed

Flowchart showing the process of developing and evaluating a binary and ternary model, including steps for fitting data, extrapolating parameters, testing mixing rules, and evaluating model predictability.

Materials Parameterisation Database Project

University of Strathclyde

  • Mix of experimental and modelling work carried out to investigate whether input material properties can be used to predict compaction performance.

  • Developed a predictive workflow for first-pass selection of formulation for (continuous) direct compression, based on parametarisation of models using material attributes as input.

TRANSLATED OUTPUTS: Workflow developed, database of material properties established, predictive models built into Python and Matlab, training webinar delivered.