TEST & MEASUREMENT  QUANTUM DESIGN


Advanced Characterisation Tools supporting Ireland’s evolving pharmaceutical sector


Ireland’s pharmaceutical industry, a key component of the country’s economy, continues to expand its capabilities in areas such as drug formulation, advanced coatings and nanotechnology


T


o support these developments, researchers and process engineers increasingly rely on precise materials


characterisation techniques to understand surface properties, structural features and chemical interactions at the nanoscale.


Quantum Design UK and Ireland (QD-UKI), in


collaboration with international manufacturers, supplies analytical and microscopy tools used in pharmaceutical development and quality control. Two recent examples highlight how these technologies are being applied in Ireland to address complex challenges in pharmaceutical research and production.


SURFACE-SENSITIVE CHARACTERISATION OF ALD FILMS IN DRUG DEVELOPMENT Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) has become a valuable technique in pharmaceutical science for modifying the surface of drug particles. It enables the deposition of conformal, nanometre-scale coatings that can improve drug stability, modify dissolution rates and enable controlled release mechanisms.


A recent case study featured by QD-UKI explores the surface-sensitive characterisation  coatings, often just a few nanometres thick, require non-destructive techniques capable of probing the uppermost atomic layers of a material. Two of the most relevant techniques for this purpose are: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS): Used to identify elemental composition,  the surface of coated particles. Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS): Offers high- sensitivity detection of molecular fragments, providing detailed chemical mapping and depth 


  thickness across irregular drug particle geometries and investigate the interaction between the coating and the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). In practical terms, this helps in the design  and supports quality assurance in formulation development.


24 July/August 2025 Irish Manufacturing


CORRELATIVE MICROSCOPY FOR PHARMACEUTICAL SURFACE ANALYSIS Another emerging technique in pharmaceutical materials characterisation is correlative microscopy, which combines Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in a single system. This integrated approach enables simultaneous analysis of surface topography and high-resolution imaging — a powerful combination for examining pharmaceutical samples. The FusionScope, available via QD-UKI, is a system that merges these two imaging modes to offer a detailed view of pharmaceutical materials. Its applications in pharmaceutical research include: Tablet Coating Analysis: Assessing coating thickness, surface defects and roughness to evaluate uniformity and potential for cracking or delamination.


Crystallisation Studies: Monitoring


the formation and morphology of polymorphic  bioavailability. Excipient-API Interactions:


Investigating how excipients and active ingredients are distributed and bonded at the surface level, which affects formulation performance. Particle Surface Texture: Characterising


granules or microparticles used in inhalable or injectable drugs, where surface area and texture impact absorption and stability.


AFM provides nanometre-resolution height maps and mechanical properties such as stiffness and adhesion, while SEM offers detailed morphological context. Used together, they provide a more comprehensive understanding of pharmaceutical material behaviour than either technique alone.


TOOLS SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND QUALITY IN PHARMA


While these technologies are often associated with academic materials science, their relevance to the pharmaceutical industry is growing. As drug delivery systems become more complex and regulatory requirements more stringent, the ability to characterise surfaces at the micro- and nanoscale is increasingly essential. Researchers in Ireland are applying these techniques in both early-stage drug development and in manufacturing environments to improve process understanding, product consistency and regulatory compliance. Characterisation tools like XPS, ToF-SIMS and correlative AFM/SEM help to answer key questions about formulation behaviour, surface interactions and stability — all critical to developing effective and reliable pharmaceutical products. As Ireland continues to invest in advanced


manufacturing, nanomedicine and biopharma, the integration of surface-sensitive characterisation methods will likely play an expanding role in both research and industrial settings.


www.irish-manufacturing.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40