Spherotech, Inc. products

The colored particles are prepared by polymerizing styrene in a solution of oil soluble dye in styrene. As a result the particles are free of solvent commonly found when the particles are prepared by staining with a solution of dye in organic solvent. Spherotech colored particles are intensely colored. The SPHERO™ Colored Particles are manufactured to enhance the visual detection in assays such as latex agglutination, dipstick and membrane based assays.

Spherotech offers a wide range of crosslinked polystyrene particles. Non-uniform, uniform shape, and porous crosslinked polystyrene particles are manufactured at Spherotech. The low cost non-uniform particles are useful when particle shape does not matter. If a perfect spherical monosized polymer particle is needed, use the 0.5% DVB cross-linked polystyrene particles. Spherotech also provides uniform cross-linked polystyrene particles that are stable in the presence of organic solvents. Porous crosslinked beads will provide additional surface area. Futhermore, larger size uniform cross-linked polystyrene particles are also available.

The polystyrene particles are prepared by using emulsion polymerization process. Particles supplied by Spherotech have been precleaned using either mixed bed ion exchange or by centrifugation. Further cleaning by user is usually not required. The size of particles is determined by either NICOMP Laser Particle Sizer or visually by Scanning Electron Microscope.