Terahertz waves are low energy waves
that can penetrate up to a few millimeters into substances and detect
interactions on the molecular level (intermolecular hydrogen bonding or
intramolecular interactions in large biomolecules like proteins), the
microscopic level (film thickness, interfacial interactions) and at the
structural level (density and porosity), all non-destructively.
These capabilities seem to be a
perfect fit for the pharmaceutical industry. So why isn’t the technology more
widely used?
Early instruments were unwieldy with
respect to their size, for one thing. Advances in the laser, emitter and
detector technologies required for the generation of terahertz waves have made
it possible for instruments today to be of a practical size. Cost has come down
as well, and now is at a reasonable per measurement level. Instrument
manufacturers are also now offering easy-to-use platforms for terahertz
analysis.
Of course, there is also the fact that
the pharmaceutical industry is conservative and takes its time when considering
the adoption of new technology. Just look at Raman analysis and where it was
10-15 years ago, and how it has become a much more commonplace analytical tool
today.
What do you think about terahertz
spectroscopy? Is your company interested in this technology? Have you used it
in your product development of processing operations? Have its capabilities won
you over, or do you still have concerns? How easy is to interpret the results?
Do you see it as an alternative or substitute for some existing analytical
techniques?
Don’t forget to sign up for the eNewsletter here if you haven’t done so
yet. Also check out the
Pharmaceutical Technology/Biopharm International Marketplace at www.pharmabiomarketplace.com.
Cynthia Challener, PhD
Editor
The Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manufacturing
& Marketplace Report
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