Accelerated Materials launches K1 Pro microreactor for nanoparticle synthesis

Accelerated Materials has introduced the K1 Pro, an automated four-reagent microreactor for 1 kg/day synthesis of nanoparticles. The company said the system is built around its patented annular flow reactor, a thin liquid film driven by a high-velocity gas core.

The reactor gives shear rates up to 10⁶ s⁻¹ and micromixing in as little as 0.5 ms. According to the company, this provides precise control of particle size, morphology and crystallinity without extreme temperatures or pressures.

The K1 Pro has up to 4 continuous dosing and selector valves, which let users switch up to 16 reagents inline and remove the task of reagent preparation. Automated priming and rinsing between runs is intended to increase throughput, and 5 high-precision pressure sensors collect process data.

The system includes AMLearn, described as code free AI optimisation across up to 25 variables and 4 objectives. The company says this can reduce experimental workload by as low as 50% compared to conventional factorial design.

The K1 Pro produces particles from 3 nm to microns, including metal oxides, quantum dots, MOFs, 2D materials, metals and organic nanoparticles. It has a benchtop footprint, fits a standard fume hood and replaces a 50L reactor. Applications cited include semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, energy storage and speciality chemicals.

Processes developed on the K1 Pro can move to the company's K10 and K100 systems with minimal reconfiguration. Accelerated Materials describes this as the first commercial route from 1 to 100 kg/day without re-optimising.

Source: Accelerated Materials news