Weird and wacky applications of a Texture Analyser for cosmetic products

Cosmetics, beyond their functional benefits, are celebrated for their sensory attributes, which play a key role in user satisfaction and brand loyalty. The silkiness of a foundation, the luxurious feel of a night cream, or the smooth glide of a lipstick are all textural properties that enhance the user's experience. These physical properties not only determine how a product feels upon application but also its efficacy, longevity, and even its aesthetic appeal on the skin. For many consumers, the tactile experience of a cosmetic product can evoke emotions, be it the comforting richness of a moisturising mask or the consistency of a gel-based eye cream. These unique textural experiences contribute significantly to the perceived value and efficacy of a cosmetic product, making them an integral part of a product's identity.

Weird and wacky applications of a Texture Analyser for medical products

Medical and pharmaceutical products, while often overlooked for their tactile properties, possess a range of amazing physical attributes crucial for their functionality and efficacy. Take, for instance, the precisely calibrated flexibility of a surgical stent, the adhesive quality of a transdermal patch, or the dissolution rate of an orally disintegrating tablet. Each of these properties has been meticulously designed to serve a specific purpose, ensuring that the product not only performs its intended function but also maximises patient comfort and adherence to treatment. The need for these distinct physical attributes arises from the diverse challenges posed by the human body. A drug, for instance, needs to navigate the body's complex biochemical landscape, and its physical properties often dictate how effectively it can do so. Similarly, medical implants or devices must harmonise with the body's biomechanics, ensuring they function seamlessly without causing discomfort or adverse reactions.

Weird and wacky applications of a Texture Analyser for food products

The texture of food is an integral component of our culinary experience, often as influential as taste or aroma. Foods with unique and appealing textural properties, from the delightful snap of a well-tempered chocolate bar to the silky mouthfeel of a rich custard, evoke specific sensory pleasures that elevate the overall dining experience. Many cultures around the world have traditional dishes celebrated for their textural contrasts, like the chewy-centred and crispy-edged Asian mochi or the simultaneously crunchy and gooey nature of a French crème brûlée. The reason we enjoy these varied textures is deeply rooted in our sensory perceptions. Different textures can stimulate the mouth in diverse ways, offering a multisensory experience that can be both surprising and delightful.

Pharmaceutical Packaging: The application of texture analysis on the latest developments

Pharmaceutical packaging plays an integral role in the overall healthcare system. The emphasis is not only on safeguarding the drug but also on ensuring patient safety, enhancing drug efficacy, and promoting sustainability. As the pharmaceutical industry advances, packaging will continue to evolve to meet these dynamic needs.

Polymers: The application of texture analysis on the latest developments

The following ideas provide an overview of the cutting-edge developments and directions in which polymer science is heading. With global challenges such as environmental concerns and the need for advanced functionalities, polymers will continue to play a crucial role in many industries.

Paper and cardboard: The application of texture analysis on the latest developments

Due to increased environmental awareness, there is a growing trend in the packaging industry to produce high-performance biodegradable materials made from natural resources. The development of composites primarily made of natural fibres with a minor quantity of biopolymers has been a major goal in both academic and industrial research. Natural fibres are also chosen because of their various advantages, such as being more cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and comparable mechanical properties to synthetic fibres. However, their hydrophilic character leads to poor interfacial adherence with the matrix. Consequently, chemical treatment of the fibre’s surface appears to be required.  Unlike the bleaching process which is the most commonly used process in the packaging industrial sector, alkaline treatment is cost-effective and promotes only the partial removal of amorphous constituents, such as lignin, which is considered as the connecting material that holds the fibres together under hot compression, resulting in increased mechanical properties. However, the main issue with using chemically treated fibres alone are their low mechanical and water barrier properties. This can be avoided by employing a low quantity of biopolymers to coat the material's surface. Among the biopolymers, starch is one of the most promising renewable biopolymers because of its versatility, low cost, abundance, and biodegradability. Additionally, the mechanical, thermal and moisture protection properties of starch biopolymers can be further improved and adapted to meet specific needs by adding plasticisers and a crosslinking agent. 

Leather and textiles: The application of texture analysis on the latest developments

Research and Development in the leather and textiles industries are now more important than ever before. Customers are driven to purchase eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials, seeking out textiles that require a lower volume of water for growth (e.g. hemp as an alternative to cotton), recycled leather and textiles, textiles that consume a large amount of carbon dioxide during their growth (e.g. bamboo) and vegan alternatives to silk and leather. Vegan leathers were until recently made from PVC. However, novelty value and customers’ desire for reducing plastic manufacture, have caused plant-based leathers to become increasingly popular. These can be made from a wide variety of plant materials, including pineapples, apples and crop waste.

Cereal products: The application of texture analysis on the latest developments

What are the new ingredient and product ideas in cereal product research, development and production and how can a Texture Analyser be applied?

The food and cereal industry had been evolving rapidly with increasing consumer demand for healthier, sustainable, and more diverse products. Here are some of the newer ingredient and product ideas in cereal product research, development, and production and a typical academic reference to show how the Texture Analyser has already being applied: