White Papers

The following white papers are intended to provide educational background and knowledge on imaging particle analysis technologies, and are available for download:

Imaging Particle Analysis: The Importance of Image Quality (4.4 MB)
Imaging particle analysis systems can derive much more information about particles compared to classical "volumetric-based" systems (light obscuration, electrozone sensing, laser diffraction, etc.), which can only measure particle size in terms of the Equivalent Spherical Diameter (ESD) of a sphere corresponding to the derived volume of the particle. This paper will discuss how the quality of the images captured directly affects the ability of the system to make proper measurements, and therefore affects the ability of the system to differentiate between different particle types. Using real-world data and examples, we come to the succinct (but rather unscientific) conclusion:


Fuzzy Images = Fuzzy Measurements = Fuzzy Classifications
Using Laser-Scatter Triggering in an Imaging Particle Analysis System to Increase Particle Counting Accuracy in Sparse Samples (912.04 KB)
In very sparse samples, synchronous triggering of the camera in an imaging particle analysis system may cause undercounting due to "missing" particles passing through the flow cell while the camera is idle. The FlowCAM offers a unique solution to this issue, "scatter-triggering", where the camera is triggered asynchronously only when a particle is passing through the flow cell. This paper describes how this works and shows experimental results for low concentration (100, 50 and 10 particles/ml) samples.
Imaging Particle Analysis: Resolution and Sampling Considerations (1.93 MB)
Imaging particle analysis represents an extremely efficient way of automatically counting and characterizing microscopic particles. However, there are some limitations to the technology based upon the physics of the imaging systems and the limits imposed by sampling theory. This paper discusses these limitations in a way so as to make it clear to the user as to how these limitations must be kept in mind when trying to determine if this technology can be of use, particularly in applications with particles less than 10µm in size.
Particle Image Understanding: A Primer (1.27 MB)
This detailed paper discusses the theory behind pattern recognition techniques and how these are used in FlowCAM's VisualSpreadsheet for automated particle identification. The use of particle image understanding enables the FlowCAM to be used to duplicate processes which used to be performed manually through a microscope automatically. This leads to the ability to analyze greater quantities of data in a shorter time period, yielding higher statistical significance.
Continuous Imaging Fluid Particle Analysis: A Primer (568.27 KB)
A discussion of historical methods of particle analysis, their strengths and weaknesses, an overall description of imaging particle analysis, the FlowCAM and the benefits of this new technology.