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Abstract
How do you get into flow? We trained in flow chemistry during postdoctoral research and are now applying it in new areas: materials chemistry, crystallization, and supramolecular synthesis. Typically, when researchers think of "flow", they are considering predominantly liquid-based organic synthesis; application to other disciplines comes with its own challenges. In this Perspective, we highlight why we use and champion flow technologies in our fields, summarize some of the questions we encounter when discussing entry into flow research, and suggest steps to make the transition into the field, emphasizing that communication and collaboration between disciplines is key.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Laybourn
- Faculty
of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park Campus, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.,
| | - Karen Robertson
- Faculty
of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park Campus, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.,
| | - Anna G. Slater
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials Innovation Factory, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.,
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2
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Kufner AC, Krummnow A, Danzer A, Wohlgemuth K. Strategy for Fast Decision on Material System Suitability for Continuous Crystallization Inside a Slug Flow Crystallizer. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1795. [PMID: 36296148 PMCID: PMC9610778 DOI: 10.3390/mi13101795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing focus on two-phase flow in micro- or mini-structured apparatuses for various manufacturing and measurement instrumentation applications, including the field of crystallization as a separation technique. The slug flow pattern offers salient features for producing high-quality products, since narrow residence time distribution of liquid and solid phases, intensified mixing and heat exchange, and an enhanced particle suspension are achieved despite laminar flow conditions. Due to its unique features, the slug flow crystallizer (SFC) represents a promising concept for small-scale continuous crystallization achieving high-quality active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Therefore, a time-efficient strategy is presented in this study to enable crystallization of a desired solid product in the SFC as quickly as possible and without much experimental effort. This strategy includes pre-selection of the solvent/solvent mixture using heuristics, verifying the slug flow stability in the apparatus by considering the static contact angle and dynamic flow behavior, and modeling the temperature-dependent solubility in the supposed material system using perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT). This strategy was successfully verified for the amino acids l-alanine and l-arginine and the API paracetamol for binary and ternary systems and, thus, represents a general approach for using different material systems in the SFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Cathrine Kufner
- Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Plant and Process Design, TU Dortmund University, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Adrian Krummnow
- Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Thermodynamics, TU Dortmund University, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Global Pharmaceutical R&D, Knollstraße, D-67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Andreas Danzer
- Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Thermodynamics, TU Dortmund University, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wohlgemuth
- Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Plant and Process Design, TU Dortmund University, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
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3
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Levenstein MA, Robertson K, Turner TD, Hunter L, O’Brien C, O’Shaughnessy C, Kulak AN, Le Magueres P, Wojciechowski J, Mykhaylyk OO, Kapur N, Meldrum FC. Serial small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering with laboratory sources. IUCRJ 2022; 9:538-543. [PMID: 36071805 PMCID: PMC9438489 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252522007631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in X-ray instrumentation and sample injection systems have enabled serial crystallography of protein nanocrystals and the rapid structural analysis of dynamic processes. However, this progress has been restricted to large-scale X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) and synchrotron facilities, which are often oversubscribed and have long waiting times. Here, we explore the potential of state-of-the-art laboratory X-ray systems to perform comparable analyses when coupled to micro- and millifluidic sample environments. Our results demonstrate that commercial small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) instruments and X-ray diffractometers are ready to access samples and timescales (≳5 ms) relevant to many processes in materials science including the preparation of pharmaceuticals, nanoparticles and functional crystalline materials. Tests of different X-ray instruments highlighted the importance of the optical configuration and revealed that serial WAXS/XRD analysis of the investigated samples was only possible with the higher flux of a microfocus setup. We expect that these results will also stimulate similar developments for structural biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen Robertson
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas D. Turner
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Liam Hunter
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Cate O’Brien
- Soft Matter Analytical Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Cedrick O’Shaughnessy
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander N. Kulak
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Le Magueres
- Rigaku Americas Corporation, 9009 New Tails Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381, USA
| | | | - Oleksandr O. Mykhaylyk
- Soft Matter Analytical Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Nikil Kapur
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona C. Meldrum
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
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4
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Meng T, Qiao F, Ma S, Gao T, Li L, Hou Y, Yang J. Exploring the influence factors and improvement strategies of drug polymorphic transformation combined kinetic and thermodynamic perspectives during the formation of nanosuspensions. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2022; 47:1867-1880. [PMID: 35362347 DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2022.2061988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nanosuspensions can effectively increase saturation solubility and improve the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs attributed to high loading and surface-to-volume ratio. Wet media milling has been regarded as a scalable method to prepare nanosuspensions because of its simple operation and easy scale-up. In recent years, besides particle aggregation and Ostwald ripening, polymorphic transformation induced by processing has become a critical factor leading to the instability of nanosuspensions. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the influence factors comprehensively and put forward the corresponding improvement strategies of polymorphic transformation during the formation of nanosuspensions. In addition, this review also demonstrates the implication of molecular simulation in polymorphic transformation. The competition between shear-induced amorphization and thermally activated crystallization is the global mechanism of polymorphic transformation during media milling. The factors affecting the polymorphic transformation and corresponding improvement strategies are summarized from formulation and process parameters perspectives during the formation of nanosuspensions. The development of analytical techniques has promoted the qualitative and quantitative characterization of polymorphic transformation, and some techniques can in-situ monitor dynamic transformation. The microhydrodynamic model can be referenced to study the stress intensities by analyzing formulation and process parameters during wet media milling. Molecular simulation can be used to explore the possible polymorphic transformation based on the crystal structure and energy. This review is helpful to improve the stability of nanosuspensions by regulating polymorphic transformation, providing quality assurance for nanosuspension-based products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Meng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No.1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P R China
| | - Fangxia Qiao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No.1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P R China
| | - Shijie Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No.1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P R China
| | - Ting Gao
- Department of Preparation Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, No.804 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No.1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P R China
| | - Yanhui Hou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No.1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P R China
| | - Jianhong Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No.1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P R China
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Termühlen M, Strakeljahn B, Schembecker G, Wohlgemuth K. Quantification and evaluation of operating parameters’ effect on suspension behavior for slug flow crystallization. Chem Eng Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2021.116771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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6
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Terrill NJ, Dent AJ, Dobson B, Beale AM, Allen L, Bras W. Past, present and future-sample environments for materials research studies in scattering and spectroscopy; a UK perspective. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2021; 33:483002. [PMID: 34479225 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ac2389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Small angle x-ray scattering and x-ray absorption fine structure are two techniques that have been employed at synchrotron sources ever since their inception. Over the course of the development of the techniques, the introduction of sample environments for added value experiments has grown dramatically. This article reviews past successes, current developments and an exploration of future possibilities for these two x-ray techniques with an emphasis on the developments in the United Kingdom between 1980-2020.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew J Dent
- Diamond Light Source, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Barry Dobson
- Sagentia Ltd, Harston Mill, Harston Mill, CB22 7GG, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M Beale
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
- The Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Allen
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
- The Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Wim Bras
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, One Bethel Valley Road TN 37831, United States of America
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Termühlen M, Etmanski MM, Kryschewski I, Kufner AC, Schembecker G, Wohlgemuth K. Continuous slug flow crystallization: Impact of design and operating parameters on product quality. Chem Eng Res Des 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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8
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Applications of synchrotron powder X-ray diffractometry in drug substance and drug product characterization. Trends Analyt Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2021.116181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Levenstein MA, Kim YY, Hunter L, Anduix-Canto C, González Niño C, Day SJ, Li S, Marchant WJ, Lee PA, Tang CC, Burghammer M, Meldrum FC, Kapur N. Evaluation of microflow configurations for scale inhibition and serial X-ray diffraction analysis of crystallization processes. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:2954-2964. [PMID: 32666988 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00239a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The clean and reproducible conditions provided by microfluidic devices are ideal sample environments for in situ analyses of chemical and biochemical reactions and assembly processes. However, the small size of microchannels makes investigating the crystallization of poorly soluble materials on-chip challenging due to crystal nucleation and growth that result in channel fouling and blockage. Here, we demonstrate a reusable insert-based microfluidic platform for serial X-ray diffraction analysis and examine scale formation in response to continuous and segmented flow configurations across a range of temperatures. Under continuous flow, scale formation on the reactor walls begins almost immediately on mixing of the crystallizing species, which over time results in occlusion of the channel. Depletion of ions at the start of the channel results in reduced crystallization towards the end of the channel. Conversely, segmented flow can control crystallization, so it occurs entirely within the droplet. Consequently, the spatial location within the channel represents a temporal point in the crystallization process. Whilst each method can provide useful crystallographic information, time-resolved information is lost when reactor fouling occurs and changes the solution conditions with time. The flow within a single device can be manipulated to give a broad range of information addressing surface interaction or solution crystallization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Levenstein
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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