A new scientific breakthrough could lead to significant changes to pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing and processing.
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have identified a new way of handling solids and powders during pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing, which they believe will overcome a common problem: clogged channels.
Interruptions usually inherent in the batch-based approach to pharmaceutical manufacture can lead to precipitates forming during reactions, which can in turn cause clogs in screw conveyors or other equipment.
MIT researcher Timothy Noel said: "One of the biggest hurdles is handling solids.
"Previous methods suggested to overcome this problem include introducing another solvent to dissolve the solids, but this can reduce the overall efficiency of the reactions."
MIT scientists suggest that making the reaction a continuous process could cut out these interruptions, in turn reducing the incidents of blockages forming.
Researchers note that it could also reduce chemical waste and speed up the overall production process.