physics

The Interfacial Physics Group

Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Physics

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Production and Characterization of Self-Dispersing Particles

by Mengjie Zhoa

Abstract

The research involved the production of powders and probing how they spread on a liquid subphase. The solid particles containing a mimic for the active agent (AAM) are prepared by spray drying. Our research focused on the factors that determine the final extent of spreading as a means to develop formulation for pulmonary drugs delivery. Specifically, the deposition of surfactant-laden powders on model subphases significantly enhanced powder spreading relative to surfactant-free controls. Surfactant mass controlled the spread area. The area of subphase inhibited spreading of the AAM even when it did not approach edge of subphase but surfactant did. There was no evidence that particle morphology significantly affected spreading. The investigation of the potential use of surfactant-generated Marangoni flows helped develop self-dispersing particles for improved uniformity of drug delivery in the treatment of partially obstructed lungs.