Microencapsulation

What will I learn?
This course covers the basic science and engineering of microencapsulation across a wide range of applications including the important stages of emulsification control, stability and release property control. While the majority of the course involves emulsions, multiple emulsions and particle coating, we also include a comprehensive description of the range of valuable characterisation tools and their applicability. The emphasis is on understanding the flow behaviour of the interaction of the various components in such complex systems. This should provide the basis for a rational approach to formulating and producing micro encapsulates to meet a range of needs.

The course offers a programme of academic and industry cooperation taking delegates from the basic science through to manufactured products. Recent updates to the course mean that we are now also focusing on alternatives to historical microencapsulation systems in response to the recent microplastics regulations, which is driving the industry towards developing biodegradable alternatives. This year’s course will feature sessions to better understand the regulation environment, to specifically describe alternative microcapsule shell materials that are more environmentally friendly and some discussion around biodegradability testing.

How will I benefit?
On completion of this course you’ll have an understanding of:

• developing a rational approach to formulate or modify emulsions for optimal processing behaviour, and using available laws and scaling relations to predict behaviour

• the various methods of turning emulsions into encapsulates, including the process conditions that impact their final properties and behaviour

• selecting characterisation devices and defining measurement procedures for a specific application

• evaluating and interpreting experimental data

This course is for you if you’re a scientist or engineer in the chemical, petroleum, polymers, coatings, inks, food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or general chemical industries with responsibility for R&D projects, process engineering, manufacturing or product formulation involving incorporating microencapsulates into formulated products.

Throughout the course the theory will be supported by some live and/or pre-recorded practical lab demonstrations as well as a trouble shooting forum.

Day One

Basic science and key points around microencapsulation: what you need to know to get started

• Map to guide you through the course: microencapsulation methods vs product requirements

• Important properties of system to encapsulate (Hansen solubility parameter)

• Important capsule properties 

Spray Drying

• Introduction to spray drying for encapsulation

• Demonstration session 1

Coating of Particles

• Process - fluid bed coaters, pan coaters

• Particle functionalisation by core-shell or matrix-encapsulation in fluidised beds from an industrial perspective

Day Two

Coating of Particles cont…..

• Industry presentation on coating of solid particles using fluid beds

• Single step and solvent-free plasma functionalization and encapsulation of particles

• How to decide on an affordable microencapsulation method - economics behind encapsulation

Barriers and Opportunities 

• How to decide on an affordable microencapsulation method – economics behind encapsulation 

• Microplastics regulations

• Industry perspective: EU regulations and impact on industry with regards to environmental impact and micro plastics with respect of formulated products

Emulsion-based methods

• Focus on emulsion-based encapsulation methods: what the rest of the course contains

• Emulsion theory, importance of miscibility/cLogP, how useful is HLB of surfactants, Pickering emulsions/colloidosomes

• Demonstration Session 2

• Membrane Emulsification: Applications in encapsulation/coacervation and biodegradable polymers

• Interfaces into shells: past and current encapsulation methods and release methods

Day three

Emulsion-based methods - turning emulsions into core-shell microcapsules

• From interfacial polymerisation to inorganic shells - potential for evolving microcapsule systems

• Controlling fragrance retention in microcapsules for Consumer Products

• Making capsules by destabilisation of shell particles

• Biodegradable encapsulates

• Characterisations of release and biodegradability of capsules and other properties

• Trouble shooting forum

• Key properties and evaluation

• Evaluating mechanical properties and release rates - techniques, challenges and watch outs

Course Director
Dr Olivier Cayre, University of Leeds

Speakers
Professor Steven Abbott, TCNF & University of Leeds
Mohammed Al-Sharabi, University of Cambridge 
Andre Barros, Procter & Gamble
Professor Andrew Bayly, University of Leeds
Dan Baiocco, University of Birmingham
Ian Harrison, Givaudan   
Faye Hearfield, Micropore
Dr Nicole Hondow, University of Leeds
Clare Walker, Head of Global Regulations and Product Safety, Holiferm
Professor Brent Murray, University of Leeds
Professor Alex Routh, University of Cambridge 
Arne Teiwes, Process Technology Feed, Food, Fine Chemicals / New Technologies, Technology Development, Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH
James Ward Taylor, Innovation Manager, Xampla
Dr Rik Verschueren, PartiX
Tom Wytrwat, Amandus Kahl
Professor Zhibing Zhang, University of Birmingham 

Course fee: £TBC

Fees are VAT exempt

Fees include:

• cost of tuition

• course materials

• lunches

• light refreshments

• course dinner on Tuesday evening

View our terms and conditions

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT

Detailed directions (including the exact location for the course registration and presentation room) will be sent out with the delegate joining instructions.

How to find us

The nearest public car park is Woodhouse Lane (multi storey) at LS1 3HQ. The car park is open 24 hours. Charges apply, please click here for information and location details. Please note this car park is a fifteen minute walk to/ from our building and delegates should allow ample time to park and register for the course. 

There is also limited on-street parking in the vicinity of the University.

Delegates are responsible for organising your own evening meals and accommodation (if required). A list of hotels close to the University is available and will be provided with your course joining instructions.

“It’s an excellent course that not only covers the basics of microencapsulation but also covers some industrial applications with all it’s advantages and disadvantages.” 
Isabel Sousa, University of Aveiro

“The course was an excellent opportunity both to review/get exposed to the primers of microencapsulation whilst also allowed discussions on advanced and more specific topics.”
Julio Uribe-Padilla, Eurofragance S.L.U

“It was the best "microencapsulation course" I attended, and I truly recommend to all that works or want to work in this field.”
Ricardo Costa, Devan Chemicals

Katie McCarthy – Course Coordinator

CPD Conference and Events Unit
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences 
University of Leeds,
Leeds
LS2 9JT

T: 0113 343 5746

E: cpd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk

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