A nephelometer is an instrument used in nephelometry to determine the turbidity or cloudiness of a liquid or gaseous sample. Turbidity is the presence of insoluble particles in a liquid or gaseous substance. Hence, the device has various use cases in the environmental and life sciences.
Now, you may have doubts about what nephelometry is. The term derives from the Greek word “nephelo,” which means cloudiness. So, in simple terms, a nephelometer studies the cloudiness of a sample. This article will examine some common uses of a nephelometer and help you understand the principles of nephelometry and why it is essential.
Understanding Nephelometry
Nephelometry is a part of analytical chemistry that measures the cloudiness or turbidity of a material in a gaseous or liquid solution, caused by the presence of suspended, insoluble materials. When light scatters in a liquid, it follows the principle of elastic scattering of particles. According to this principle, light is either absorbed, blocked, transmitted, or scattered when directed through a turbid solution containing suspended, insoluble particles. The amount of light that scatters depends on the shape and size of the insoluble particles in the concentration, and the incident wavelength of light.
This principle was introduced at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries and is now a notable part of clinical chemistry. Researchers use nephelometry in various applications, including measuring immune complexes such as CRP or immunoglobulin and assessing the clarity of water, air, and pharmaceutical suspensions. It is also an effective tool in drug discovery. For instance, the nephelometer can help quantify key protein markers in pre- and post-operative management if you are undergoing a liver transplant.
How Does a Nephelometer Work?
The primary goal of a nephelometer is to measure the insoluble particles present in liquid solutions in the well of a microplate. Now, the question is, how does it measure the insoluble particles?
First, it directs a perpendicular beam of light towards the microplate. As the light passes through the sample, particles in the solution scatter it. A photodetector is placed at a specific angle to measure the intensity of the scattered light.
Knowing that the amount of light scattered is proportional to the number and size of the particles in the solution is essential. The photodetector then converts the intensity into a quantitative value known as the Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) for liquid and micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) for air quality.
Common Uses of a Nephelometer
Nephelometers primarily measure air quality and climatic monitoring, and they also have some notable applications in drug analysis. Let’s examine them in detail:
- A nephelometer is an essential tool in monitoring global warming research. It helps determine the global radiation balance, the quantity of solar energy reflected by the dust in the atmosphere, and much more. The right tool can also help evaluate the indoor, outdoor, and personal environment.
- Researchers also use the tool in drug discovery and analysis. It helps determine the solubility of different drugs in different compounds, thus assisting scientists in assessing their effectiveness.
- A nephelometer can also test the turbidity of a sample of water. It measures the size and quantity of suspended particles in the solution to provide insights into how clear or polluted it is.
- Laboratories use a nephelometer to check blood or urine protein levels and quantify immunoglobulin, which helps diagnose various diseases.
Conclusion
A nephelometer is an essential tool in various studies and research to understand the effectiveness of a drug, the clarity of a sample of water, global warming monitoring, and much more. One thing that you must remember here is that choosing the right nephelometer will make a considerable difference in results. Hence, check the compatibility format and durability to ensure you make the right choice before selecting a tool.
