Sedimentation Velocity

The solution conformation of a solute can be characterized with sedimentation velocity experiments that yield the sedimentation coefficient. The sedimentation process can, in the NCMH, be observed with absorption, interference or schlieren optics. In all cases 3 samples can be run at a time requiring a sample volume of 400 microlitres. For absorption optics 0.2 < OD12mm < 1.5. The limits for schlieren optics are those given for sedimentation equilibrium.

A velocity experiment takes typically half a day. In addition, a velocity experiment can directly yield information about sample conformation and/or heterogeneity.

With careful design, interaction constants and virial coefficients can be obtained from sedimentation velocity and equilibrium studies, and powerful new methods of analysis of velocity experiments such as g(s*) profiles can be applied to characterization of individual components even in oligo-disperse systems.