Materials and foreign particle investigations

Materials investigations

At TNO we work in close cooperation with our customers.  We can carry out a range of studies, including:

• Determination of the mechanism and underlying root cause of environmentally related degradation processes such as contamination, corrosion, fouling, leakages or wear.
• Identification of contamination, dust, and foreign particles found during production and in environmental compartments such as water, air and soil.
• Identification of particulate matter / foreign particles in pharmaceutical products and medical devices, including vials, tablets, ampoules, product packaging, catheters, stents & scissors.
• Identification of production and/or usage defects. This relates to all manner of production faults, such as: impurities in PET bottles, crystal formation in concrete, glass particles in products, deposits in pipes, corroded metals.
• Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis investigations.

Environmental Modeling Sensing and Analysis

The experts of the Environmental Modeling Sensing and Analysis (EMSA) team specialize in studying unknown substances and small particles in difficult matrices and low product concentrations. Our Microscopy and Materials specialists have extensive knowledge of a range of materials:

• traditional materials (metals, plastics, ceramics, glass)
• natural materials (wood, paper, plant materials)
• emerging new materials (nanomaterials, hybrid materials).

Our experts have extensive knowledge of materials processes and risk assessments of harmful emissions into the environment. TNO has state-of-the-art equipment, which, combined with the right experts to operate it and interpret the results, enables us to work on complex issues. Where appropriate we work with experts in other specialist areas within TNO.

With the knowledge and techniques it has at its disposal, TNO can also perform other relevant studies, such as:

• Particle analysis: analyzing the composition of a product or material, with emphasis on microscopy and electron microscopy. We can see small particles in solids or liquids, and distinguish and isolate them, enabling us to determine which substances a product contains
• Fibre analysis: TNO is a national and international expert in the field of asbestos and mineral fibres.
• Microscopy for biological applications: analysis of biological samples using electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) combined with microscopy (including fluorescence microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Microscopy).