Glycolipid and Mixed Micelle Characterization via Diffusion-Ordered Spectroscopy

This invention is a spectroscopy method to measure and observe solutions such as aggregates for the purpose of characterizing glycolipid surfactants.

 

Background:
Surfactants are known compounds that lower surface tension between two liquids, or a liquid and a solid, with application in detergents, wetting agents, foams, etc. Most industrial surfactants available are ionic and come from sulphate and phosphate salts, however glycolipids are a natural type of surfactant composed of hydrophilic carbohydrates and lipophilic tail. This invention uses diffusion-order spectroscopy (DOSY) to observe diffusion of surfactant molecules, creating an efficient method to measure glycolipid micro emulsions and nanoparticles.

 

Applications:

  • Drug delivery


Advantages:

  • Characterizes surfactant and aggregate solutions
  • Surfactant properties: critical micelle concentration, particle radius and aggregation number
  • Multi-component microcellular solutions

Status: issued U.S. patent #11,504,325

Patent Information: