Welcome to the microReport
Welcome to the Micro Report , a science-based blog sponsored by Micromeritics Instrument Corporation. Our mission is to present new ideas, research, novel applications, and important event news regarding the science of materials characterization. Our intention is to provide an educational experience that contributes to the advancement of materials science.

Founded in 1962, Micromeritics Instrument Corporation is a leading supplier of materials characterization analytical instrumentation and services to the world’s industrial and academic laboratories. The company manufactures a broad line of automated analytical laboratory instruments that measure various physical characteristics of powders and solids for fundamental research, product development, quality assurance and control, production, and process control applications. Physical characteristics determined include:

• Particle Size
• Particle Count
• Surface Area
• Pore Volume, Pore Size and Pore Size Distribution
• Absolute Density, Envelope Density, and Bulk Density
• Catalytic Activity and Temperature-Programmed Reactions

Micromeritics also markets an auxiliary selection of materials characterization instruments under its Particulate Systems brand. Small companies and independent innovators with novel instrument designs benefit from Micromeritics’ extensive sales and support network while end users will be offered new and exciting technology that otherwise may have remained obscured by more prominent or better funded manufacturers. Instrument measurements include:

• Nano Particle Size
• Zeta Potential
• Particle Shape
• High-Pressure Adsorption Isotherms
• Dynamic Vapor Sorption
• Activity and Selectivity of Catalysts
• Surface Energy
• Segregation Testing
• Magnetic Content

Micromeritics also operates Particle Testing Authority (PTA) providing comprehensive contract sample analyses and consulting services. Featuring products manufactured by Micromeritics, PTA also provides additional services utilizing instrumentation outside Micromeritics current product line.  Customers are offered expert-backed choices of many different analytical techniques and dozens of methods for characterizing particles and powder flow - each with specific advantages in targeted applications and industries such as pharmaceuticals where the demand for contract services continues to grow at a demanding pace.  Particle Testing Authority utilizes a DEA-licensed, FDA-registered, cGMP -compliant contract analytical laboratory positioned to provide method development and method validation services.

With U.S. corporate headquarters in Norcross (Atlanta), Georgia, Micromeritics has an extensive worldwide sales and service network. The company operates direct offices located in the United States, England, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, and China.  In addition, the company’s customers are served by a specially trained local representative network covering over sixty-five countries who both sell and service Micromeritics’ instruments. A training facility at the Norcross headquarters offers a regular schedule of instrument operator training courses.

The company makes use of the latest design and production technology, including a computer-aided design and manufacturing system. A large percentage of the precision-machined parts needed for its instruments are fabricated in Micromeritics’ own machine shop. Micromeritics’ instruments are tested rigorously to ensure the results they produce match accepted international standards. The company is continually in the process of designing and upgrading powerful multi-tasking instrument software, including software that addresses the many requirements specified by the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11 regulations for data integrity and security. IQ and OQ services are also available to insure that each Micromeritics system is validated for accuracy, reliability, consistent intended performance, and provides safeguards to protect the integrity of analysis records.

Internationally, Micromeritics has provided materials characterization instruments and applications support to most of the world's top industrial companies and academic institutions whose applications include: pharmaceuticals, clays, ceramics, pigments, plastics, catalysts and catalyst support systems, paper coatings, geological cores, and metal powders, to name a few.