The applications of nanoparticles in the industry are getting more and more important and concern many different fields (drug delivery, nanotubes, screen technologies, etc.). In the last decades a vast amount of scientific research has been developed to improve the understanding of these complex dispersions. Using a scientific approach and new analytical techniques, it is now possible to control and tailor properties of suspensions and to get a better understanding of time behaviour. Following this idea, stability measurements, which were commonly done by simple visual observations, can now be performed automatically via an optical device.

This instrument is based on Multiple Light Scattering (MLS) and is associated to a vertical scanning of the sample. It is like a high resolution electronic eye, enabling to identify and quantify instability phenomena before they are visible to the operator (5 to 50 times earlier than the naked eye). Physical parameters and kinetics can be computed in order to facilitate and improve comparisons between formulations. Moreover, it is possible to use the information contained in the MLS signal to extract parameters such as particle mean diameter without the need of dilution, as often required with diffraction techniques based on single scattering models. This measurement can be done on the finished product or, in real time, during the process.