A hypothesis for morphological characterization of particle shape and physiochemical properties

Abstract Characterization of particle shape has historically been done by a variety of sizing techniques — sieving, setting, micrometrically. Recently, using automatic scanning devices, the x , y coordinates of particle silhouettes are read and analyzed by Fourier series. Using both the phase angle and amplitude, the particle shape can be reproduced to any degree of accuracy. This paper presents a broad theoretical hypothesis that particles have intrinsic shapes, such as a sphere, from which the particle deviates randomly. Thus a particle is comprised of a melamorph and random component. Using both a melamorph and analyzing the random component by Fourier, Walsh or HAAR functions, detailed information on particle properties such as surface area and surface reactivity may be computed. Possible applications of the approach are suggested.