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The Forces Involved in Homogenization Explained

The Forces Involved in

Homogenization Explained
By Aimee O'Driscoll,
16 August 2019

While we often hear about shear forces in rotor-stator homogenization and cavitation forces in
ultrasonic homogenization, in reality, most types of homogenization processes involve a
combination of multiple forces.

You may also come across mention of impact forces, as well as the driving factors behind some
forces, including pressure and turbulence. In this post, we explain what these forces are and in
which types of homogenization they are most prominent.

Shear
Shear forces are unaligned forces pushing in different directions. When these are applied to your
sample, they can facilitate things like mixing, emulsification, particle size reduction, dispersion, and
cell lysis.

Shear forces are key in rotor-stator homogenization. In this process, a metal shaft (rotor) rotates
inside a stationary casing (stator). The sample is drawn into the narrow space between the rotor
and stator.

Image source: IKA (https://homogenizers.net/collections/ika)

The laws of fluid mechanics state that the velocity of the fluid immediately adjacent to the rotor is
the same as the velocity of the rotor. Meanwhile, it follows that the velocity of the fluid immediately
adjacent to the stationary stator is zero. This results in a high velocity gradient (http://www.diva-
portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1018931/FULLTEXT02) in the small gap between the rotor and stator,
and subjects the sample to high shear forces.
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Shear forces are also a factor in high-pressure homogenization. In this case, the pressure exerted
on the sample pushes it through a valve or membrane, subjecting it to a combination of forces,
including shear.

Cavitation
Pressure changes during homogenization can cause the formation of bubbles in liquid samples.
These bubbles (cavities) grow and eventually implode. The whole process is known as cavitation.

When the bubbles implode, a large amount of energy is released. Collapsing bubbles within the
liquid transfer kinetic energy to surrounding liquid particles, creating high-speed jets of liquid that
can break apart or erode the surface of particles. Bubbles that collapse on the surface of particles
transfer energy directly to the particle, breaking it apart or causing surface erosion.

The turbulence within the liquid that results from cavitation can also result in strong impact forces
when particles violently collide.

Cavitation is most commonly discussed in the context of ultrasonic homogenization, but it is also a
factor in high-pressure homogenization.

The video below shows an ultrasonic homogenizer in action:

Sonicator mechanism of action

The cloudy appearance of the liquid close to the probe is caused by the formation and collapse of
microscopic cavitation bubbles.

Impact
During homogenization, particles are traveling at high speeds. When particles collide with one
another, the force of the impact may be enough to erode the surface of the particle or facilitate
complete breakup of the particle or an agglomerate. This is a factor in all types of homogenization
involving particles traveling at 
high
 +1 speeds.
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Impact forces can also result from collisions between the sample and the vessel, or with other solid
components, such as beads (in bead mill homogenization).

This video shows a BeadBlaster™ 24 bead mill homogenizer

(https://homogenizers.net/collections/bead-mill-homogenizers/products/beadblaster-24) in
action:

BeadBlaster24 Tissue Homogenizer

Main Forces Involved in Each Type of

Homogenization
Although most types of homogenization involve multiple forces, here is a summary of the major
forces at play and how these might impact your decision of which type of homogenization to use.

Type of homogenizer Main forces       Considerations for applications

Rotor-Stator
Homogenizer
(https://homogenizers.ne
t/collections/rotor-
stator-homogenizers)
Main: Shear Shear forces can create small particle sizes but
not as small as cavitation.
Other: None
Although shear forces themselves don’t create
heat, the resulting frictional forces do create
moderate amounts of heat in rotor-stator
homogenization.
Typical particle sizes: 1 - 50 µm

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Ultrasonic Homogenizer
(https://homogenizers.ne
t/collections/sonic-
homogenizers-
sonicators)
Main: Cavitation forces can help you achieve very
Cavitation small particle sizes.
Cavitation forces create large amounts of heat
Other:
so ultrasonic homogenization may require heat
Impact
mitigation for heat-sensitive samples.
Typical particle sizes: 50 nm - 1 µm

High-Pressure Main: Shear, Due to the combination of forces, small

Homogenizer impact, and particle sizes can be achieved with high-
(https://homogenizers.ne cavitation, pressure homogenization.
t/collections/high- depending on Typical particle sizes: 50 nm - 1 µm
pressure-homogenizers) design

Bead Mill Homogenizer
(https://homogenizers.ne
t/collections/bead-mill-
homogenizers)
Main: Impact Since bead mill homogenization mainly relies
on the impact forces due to collisions between
Other: Shear
beads, small amounts of the bead material can
also end up in the sample.
Typical particle sizes: 500 nm - 10 µm

Paddle Blender Main: Impact Paddle Blenders, or Stomachers, are designed

(https://homogenizers.ne to break up large particles while sparing
Other: Shear
t/collections/paddle- smaller ones, and therefore can be used for
blenders-stomachers) applications such as the dissociation of live
(Stomacher) cells from tissue.
Typical particle sizes: 10 µm - 200 µm

Mortar and Pestle Main: Impact The strength of the impact and shear forces is
(https://homogenizers.ne dependant on the operation of the equipment,
Other: Shear
t/collections/mortar- which in most cases is manual.
pestle-dounce- Motorized mortar and pestle homogenizers
homogenizers) can be used to create additional shear forces.
Typical particle sizes: 5 µm - 100 µm

About the author

Aimee breaks down complex science and technology topics to help readers
digest concepts and troubleshoot issues. She has well over a decade of
experience in a laboratory setting, completing a degree in Medicinal
Chemistry and working as a chemist for a multinational cosmetics company
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before pursuing her passion for writing.
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