Solid Materials Characterization Techniques

Catalog description

Students will learn about key characterization techniques used to probe the structure and physicochemical properties of small molecule organic and polymeric solid materials. Each topic will introduce components of instrumentation and how they lead to reliable data generation, with an ultimate focus on critical interpretation of data. Techniques will include powder X-ray diffraction, polarized light and hot-stage microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic vapour sorption analysis, and BET surface area analysis. In the process of studying these methods an emphasis will be placed on how pharmaceutically relevant solid materials are characterized as a part of the decision-making processes involved in formulation and drug product development.