Pharma
Synchrotron X-ray Scattering for Solid-State Characterisation
Get a more complete picture, from polymorphs to nanostructure. We provide phase identification & quantification, local structure characterisation, and nanostructure insights based on synchrotron X-ray scattering — on short notice, at any scale.
Three complementary techniques. One workflow.
XRPD
Crystalline phase identification & quantification — polymorphs, salts, co-crystals, hydrates, solvates
Total Scattering / PDF
Local atomic structure of amorphous APIs, disordered phases, and nanocrystalline materials — no long-range order required
SAXS
Mesoscale organisation in formulations and delivery systems: micro- and mesopore structure, phase segregation, particle sizes and distribution
Improve confidence in phase identification.
With 2–5× sharper resolution than standard lab diffractometers (ΔQ/Q < 0.003 at 1.5 Å−1), resolve polymorph, solvate, hydrate, and co-crystal structures in detail. Resolve overlapping peaks in complex multi-phase systems that would be ambiguous on lab instruments.
Detect crystalline phases down to 0.1–0.01 wt%.
With ~200× better signal-to-noise than standard instrumentation, find residual crystalline impurities, undesired polymorphic forms, or process-induced phase changes that sit below lab detection limits.
Characterize amorphous and disordered phases — not just crystalline ones.
Pair distribution function (PDF) analysis probes local atomic structure independent of crystallinity. Understand the short-range order in amorphous APIs and solid dispersions. Better understand the processing effects, e.g., by melt quenching, spray drying, or lyophilisation, on your system.
Probe microstructure in formulations and delivery systems.
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) reveals information about particle size distributions, pore structure, and phase distribution within lipid nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, or mesoporous drug carriers. It provides structural data typically on the 1–100 nm lengthscale that complements PXRD and PDF.
Get results as fast as 10–21 days.
For sets of up to 500 samples, we provide measurements on very short notice. Larger sample sets may take 4–6 weeks.
Send samples today for rapid analysis.
We have regularly scheduled beamtimes and high-throughput capacity, so your structural data keeps pace with development timelines.
Scale analysis to your project — not to the limits of the lab.
Whether you need to measure 5 samples for a feasibility check or 1 000 for a comprehensive screening campaign, the workflow stays the same, the quality stays the same, and turnaround remains reliable.
Easy setup with established platforms:
We are available through scientist.com and scienceexchange.com.
What does this mean for your development?
Polymorph screening & form selection (PXRD):
identify and quantify the existing crystalline forms of your API: polymorphs, hydrates, solvates, salts, and co-crystals. With high-throughput measurements, you can evaluate more 10–100× more samples with finer resolution across processing conditions. Resolve ambiguous or overlapping patterns that lab XRD cannot separate.
Amorphous content & local structure (PXRD + PDF):
quantify amorphous phase contents or verify complete amorphisation by PXRD. Go further characterise the nature of the amorphous content. PDF analysis reveals local atomic arrangements in amorphous solid dispersions, providing information about local mixing and conformational behaviour.
Formulation & delivery system development (SAXS):
Characterize microstructural phase distribution in lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanocarriers, self-emulsifying systems, or mesoporous silica. Track how particle size, phase distribution, and encapsulation change with formulation parameters or storage conditions. Complement with PXRD and PDF full a complete picture.
Process understanding & control (PXRD + PDF):
Detect process-induced disorder or polymorphic conversions. Track phase transformations due to milling, granulation, drying tableting, or storage. Correlate processing parameters with solid-state outcomes to better predict optimal processing conditions.
Reduce development risk (all methods):
Reduce uncertainty at every stage. Detect trace phases, quantify amorphous content, and characterize nanostructure with high sensitivity to speed up development timelines and obtain a more complete picture of phase behaviour.
Use Cases
How it works
Scope
30 min discussion of your goals
Purpose
Discuss your challenges and plan the right combination of methods.
Scope
5–50 samples
Purpose
Validate sensitivity and applicability for your specific materials and questions.
Scope
50–1 000+ samples
Purpose
Screening campaigns, formulation development, stability studies, process optimisation.
All data are validated via NIST reference standards, delivered with complete experimental and data processing documentation, and handled under strict client confidentiality. We routinely work under NDAs, and all project data remains proprietary to you. Advanced documentation packages possible on request. You can order directly from us or through the procurement platforms scientist.com and scienceexchange.com.
Sample Requirements
800+ industry customers and research groups use Momentum Transfer.
We operate at ESRF and DESY, two of Europe’s brightest synchrotron facilities. Founded by materials experts from BASF and the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, we bring industrial-grade reliability and state-of-the-art expertise to pharmaceutical solid-state characterisation.
Ready to see what’s in your samples?
Book a free 30-minute consultation. Discuss your characterisation challenges, sample types, and turnaround needs directly with our team.