page_title: Nano spray dryer
section_title: Applications
hierarchical_section_title: Nano spray dryer / Applications
caption_attribution_description: English: SEm picture of gelatine particles produced by a nano spray dryer.
context_page_description: Nano spray dryers refer to using spray drying to create particles in the nanometer range. Spray drying is a gentle method for producing powders with a defined particle size out of solutions, dispersions, and emulsions which is widely used for pharmaceuticals, food, biotechnology, and other industrial materials synthesis.
  In the past, the limitations of spray drying were the particle size, the yield, and the sample volume. Recently, minimum particle sizes have been reduced to 300 nm, yields up to 90% are possible, and the sample amount can be as small as 1 ml. These expanded limits are possible due to new technological developments to the spray head, the heating system, and the electrostatic particle collector. To emphasize the small particle sizes possible with this new technology, it has been described as "nano" spray drying. However, the smallest particles produced are in the sub-micrometre range common to fine particles rather than the nanometer scale of ultrafine particles.
context_section_description: Pharmaceuticals:
  This technique is widely used in the pharma market. Because of the small sample amounts and the high yields it is ideal for spray drying expensive substances in basic research. The following list shows examples of what is possible:
  Inhalable drugs for dry powder inhalers (DPI‘s)
  Nano- and microencapsulation of liposomes
  Stabilization of heat-sensitive vaccines, insulin, growth hormones
  Encapsulation of nanoparticle drugs for high bioavailability
  Nanocapsules of biodegradable polymers (lactides, glycolides)
  Porous drug carriers for nanoparticle suspensions
  Excipients for controlled drug release studies: trehalose, mannitol, lactose, HPMC, PVA, chitosan, dextrine, PLGA, starch, gelatin
  Materials science:
  This new technique offers new prospects in materials science, specially in the nanomaterial field. Now it is possible to spray dry fine particles. The following list shows examples of what is possible:
  Fine metal particles for novel catalysts
  Fine magnetic powders
  Carbon nanotubes as additives
  High performance ceramics with novel structures and high specific surface area
  Titanium oxide particles
  Nanoparticle suspensions for agglomeration
  Silicon oxide nanoparticle agglomerates
  Finest pigments for paints and coatings
  Food:
  Also in the field of food science this technology offers new possibilities. Especially in the currently vibrant field of functional food, the following list shows examples of what is possible:
  Nano food – Functional additives
  Encapsulation of fruit aromas, flavours, or perfumes
  Spray drying of fine powder aromas for pet food
  Encapsulation of fish oil for smell protection
  Vitamins, other food additives, etc.
caption: Scanning electron micrograph of gelatine particles spray dried with a nano spray dryer
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