A new imaging-based software, the CrystalEyes, has been developed. This is the first low-cost commercial imaging system suitable for in situ monitoring and control of crystallisation processes that exploits recent developments in the miniaturization and performance of imaging hardware. Combined with an innovative anti-fouling control (AFC) system to prevent encrustation on the probe window, and a user friendly software platform that implements state-of-the-art crystallisation monitoring and feedback control approaches developed as part of the ERC project CrySys: Crystallisation Systems Engineering – Towards a Next Generation of Intelligent Crystallisation Systems, the tool is a powerful and robust platform for the rapid design of crystallisation processes, to produce high-quality particulate products with tailored-made properties. The first prototype was developed as part of this PoC project. As a results pattent submission and discussions for the initiation of a start-up company to commercialize the hardware and software platforms are undergoing with Loughborough Enterprise Office, which also supports the development of the improved version 2 of the probe for commercialization and the development of the business plan and route for commercialization.
Broader socioeconomic impact:
The pharmaceutical, biotechnological, food, microelectronics, fine and bulk chemical industries are currently challenged by the need to comply with more stringent product requirements, a fast-changing market and the need for reduction of energy demand and production costs. This applies particularly to the production of crystalline products, which is one of the most important economic activities in these industries. To meet these needs the industry requires crystallisation processes which are flexible, easy to scale up, and energy and cost efficient.
The indirect economic and societal benefits of the new CrystalEyes system is in making novel crystallisation control and design approaches available on a much broader scale, providing an easily affordable hardware-software platform with innovative feedback control approaches available to industrial and academic end-users. The combination of unique features and specially tailored control approaches for pharmaceutical applications, built into the CrystalEyes platform will guarantee the maximisation of the impact in the pharmaceutical industries. This product has the potential of making a substantial impact on public health and wellbeing, for example by increasing the efficiency of process and product development and reducing time-to-market, hence making for example new pharmaceuticals available faster and at lower cost.
In addition, the better fundamental understanding enabled by better visualisation achieved, the system will also allow better control and engineering of crystals with tailor-made physicochemical properties, as well as the delivery of crystalline target products in an environmentally benign and more energy efficient manner. This would also open doors for applications in other areas, including agrochemicals, foods and confectionery, pigments and inks, microelectronics, and materials for energy and sustainability, where crystallisation is an important unit operation.
The development of a commercial CrystalEyes hardware-software system also makes the outcome of state-of-the-art research to date readily available for use across the broad pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. This will tremendously increase the impact of these research projects by providing an enabling platform technology that will be used worldwide.
Output of the project:
One patent is being filled via the Loughborough Enterprise Office
One paper is written and will be submitted for publication soon. Publication was delayed until IP protection is complete.
