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How to improve a high-value ingredient

in silica^™ microspheres seen through optical microscope

The technology associates your high-value ingredient with scientifically selected silicas to form versatile micron-sized spherical particles.

The resulting composite material grants increased stability, controlled release, easier formulability and proprietary competitive advantages to your original volatile or active.

in silica^™ aims to enable breakthrough cosmetics, perfumes and drugs.

A glimpse into the (secret) in silica^™ process

• You provide the ingredient or mixture.
• SiliCycle adapts the process according to your purpose and specifications and generates optimal sphere-shaped composite material (surface polarity, pore size, particle size, load etc.)
• Your ingredient, sequestered in silica microspheres is promptly shipped to you, along with characterization data.
• The improved ingredient is yours to be tested, formulated, commercialized.

Selected Attributes

is: Silica-made Porous microspheres Ingredient sequestered during syntheses Environment-friendly 1 to 100 microns spheres loaded with up to 75% of ingredient		is not: Polymer Core-shell capsules Impregnation Regulatory banned Nanoparticle

in silica^™ can improve sensitive ingredients, volatiles, essential oils, synthetic fragrances, vitamins and other hydrophobic actives (ex : retinol) with:

• protection against degradation ;
• slow release for increased safety and efficacy (progressive desorption, indirect contact) ;
• flexibility in formulation of unstable, oxidable or viscous ingredients (incorporating lipophilic actives in aqueous formulations) ;
• modulated desorption for novel olfactory experiences (variation in duration, intensity and desorption order) ;
• ingredient's integrity (no heating involved) ;
• cost-efficiency gains (less material for desired activity level) ;
• regulation-compatible material, process and products.

Have a look

Scanning Electron Microscope

The micron-sized particles show a neat, spherical morphology, without nano debris.

Optical microscope

The ingredient creates its own three-dimensional pore network during emulsion.

Photograph

The end-of-process composite material is a fine and silky powder. Other ready-to-formulate forms available on demand.

Degradation Kinetics - Retinol

Degradation Kinetics (air, light & ambiant temperature)

Degradation Kinetics (air, light & 40° Celcius))

Desorption Kinetics - Essential Oil

Comparaison of D-Limonene free (HEEN) vs sequestered in in silica^™ microspheres shows that desorption kinetics slowed down with in silica^™ Technologies ; nearly 40% more of D-Limonene in the sequestrated oil.

Surface Polarity Control

The external surface can be optimized to create particles with a high or low dispersibility in water following the application needs.

Option 1 : Internal surface hydrophobic / external surface hydrophobic

Option 2 : Internal surface hydrophobic / external surface hydrophilic (see pictures)

Blue coloration of the essential oil sequestrated in the microspheres :

Excellent dispersion in water

Filtration on 0,22 μm filter

Clear water

No release in the water phase

Integrity of Composition

Variable Volatility

1. A complex mixture of volatile terpenes (Black Spruce essential oil - HEEN) is sequestered in in silica^™ particles.

2. The presence of twelve compounds was studied. The complex mixture is entirely sequestered in silica particles.

Multiple Chemical Groups

1. A homemade mixture of highly-different compounds is sequestered in in silica^™ particles.

2. The complex ingredient is entirely sequestered in silica particles.