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ECL`

Grind

Grind[Options]⟹UnitOperation

reduces the size of powder particles by grinding solid substances into fine powders via a grinder (mill).

    
Grind is a method for reducing solid sample particles into finer powder using mechanical processes. ECL utilizes various grinder types, including ball mills, knife mills, and automated mortar grinders. Ball mills work by vibrating grinding containers filled with hard balls, where particle size reduction occurs through impact and friction between the balls and solid particles. Knife mills use rotating sharp blades to cut solid particles into smaller pieces, achieving size reduction through a cutting mechanism. Automated mortar grinders consist of a rotating bowl (mortar) and an angled revolving column (pestle), which apply pressure and friction to reduce particle size as the sample is ground between the mortar and pestle.
    

Experimental Principles

    Figure 1.1: Procedural outline for Grind unit operation: Step 1: Select a grinder. A grinder can be specified by Instrument option. ECL offers three grinder types, including BallMill, KnifeMill, and MortarGrinders, which can be specified by GrinderType option. Refer to Table 1 for detailed information about the grinders available at ECL. Step 2: Configure and perform grinding. Various grinding parameters can be specified, namely GrindingRate, Time, GrindingContainer, and NumberOfGrindingSteps. The NumberOfGrindingSteps option defines the number of grinding cycles, with CoolingTime intervals to prevent overheating. Refer to Table 1 for recommended grinding rates and times, and see the "Preferred Input Containers" section for information about compatible grinding containers. Step 3: Retrieve and store ground samples. Ground samples are transferred to containers specified by the ContainerOut option. SamplesOutStorageCondition option determines the storage conditions of the ground samples.

Instrumentation

    BeadBug3

    Figure 2.1: This diagram illustrates Beadbug3 grinder. It holds 3 * 2 mL non-skirted tubes. The grinding rate range is 2800 RPM to 4000 RPM and the grinding time is between 3 s and 3 min.

    BeadGenie

    Figure 2.2: This diagram illustrates Bead Genie grinder. It holds 12 * 1.5 or 2mL tubes, or 6 * 15mL tubes, or 3 * 50 mL tubes. The grinding rate range is 250 RPM to 2400 RPM and the grinding time is between 1 s and 99 min.

    Mixer Mill MM400

    Figure 2.3: This diagram illustrates Mixer Mill MM400. It can be used with grinding jars or grinding adapters of various sizes ranging from 0.2 mL to 50 mL. The grinding rate range is 180 RPM to 1800 RPM and the grinding time is between 10 s and 99 min.

    Tube Mill Control

    Figure 2.4: This diagram illustrates Tube Mill Control. Its grinding chamber holds up to 40 mL of the sample. The grinding rate range is 5000 RPM to 25000 RPM and the grinding time is between 5 s and 3 min.

    Automated Mortar Grinder

    Figure 2.5: This diagram illustrates an automated mortar grinder. Its grinding chamber holds up to 150 mL of the sample. The mortar rotates with a constatnt speed of 10 RPM. The pestle ratee is between 20 RPM and 90 RPM and the grinding time is between 60 min and 900 min.

Experiment Options

    General

    Sample

    The samples that should be ground into smaller powder particles by grinders.
    Default Value: Null
    Pattern Description: Container with Well Position or Model Sample or Sample or Container or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: ((ObjectP[{Object[Sample], Object[Container]}] | _String) | {Alternatives @@ Flatten[AllWells[NumberOfWells -> 384]] | LocationPositionP, ObjectP[{Object[Container]}] | _String} | ObjectP[Model[Sample]]) | Null
    Index Matches to: Sample

    GrinderType

    Method for reducing the size of the powder particles (grinding the sample into a fine powder). Options include BallMill, KnifeMill, and MortarGrinder. BallMill consists of a rotating or vibrating grinding container with sample and hard grinding balls inside in which the size reduction occurs through impact/friction of hard balls on/with the solid particles. KnifeMill consists of rotating sharp blades in which size reduction occurs through cutting of the solid particles into smaller pieces. Automated MortarGrinder consists of a rotating bowl (mortar) with the sample inside and an angled revolving column (pestle) in which size reduction occurs through pressure and friction between mortar, pestle, and sample particles.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set to the type of the output of PreferredGrinder function.
    Pattern Description: BallMill, KnifeMill, or MortarGrinder.
    Programmatic Pattern: GrinderTypeP | Automatic
    Index Matches to: Sample

    Instrument

    The instrument that is used to grind the sample into a fine powder.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically determined by PreferredGrinder function.
    Pattern Description: An object of type or subtype Model[Instrument, Grinder] or Object[Instrument, Grinder]
    Programmatic Pattern: ObjectP[{Model[Instrument, Grinder], Object[Instrument, Grinder]}] | Automatic
    Index Matches to: Sample

    Amount

    The mass of a sample to be ground into a fine powder.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set to the minimum value for the specified grinder Instrument or All, whichever is less. If Instrument is not specified, Amount is automatically set to the minimum value of all grinders or All, which ever is less. Minimum value of a grinder is an estimated value which refers to the minimum of the sample that is ground efficiently by a specific grinder model.
    Pattern Description: All or Mass.
    Programmatic Pattern: (RangeP[1*Milligram, $MaxTransferMass, 0.1*Milligram] | All) | Automatic
    Index Matches to: Sample

    Fineness

    The approximate size of the largest particle in a solid sample. Fineness, Amount, and BulkDensity are used to determine a suitable grinder Instrument using PreferredGrinder function if Instrument is not specified.
    Default Value: 1 millimeter
    Pattern Description: Greater than or equal to 1 micrometer and less than or equal to 80 millimeters in increments of 1 micrometer.
    Programmatic Pattern: RangeP[1*Micrometer, 80*Millimeter, 1*Micrometer]
    Index Matches to: Sample

    BulkDensity

    The mass of a volume unit of the powder. The volume for calculating BulkDensity includes the volumes of particles, internal pores, and inter-particle void spaces. This parameter is used to calculate the volume of a powder from its mass (Amount). The volume, in turn, is used along with the fineness in PreferredGrinder to determine a suitable grinder instrument if Instrument is not specified.
    Default Value: 1 gram per milliliter
    Pattern Description: Greater than or equal to 1 milligram per milliliter and less than or equal to 25 grams per milliliter in increments of 1 milligram per milliliter.
    Programmatic Pattern: RangeP[1*(Milligram/Milliliter), 25*(Gram/Milliliter), 1*(Milligram/Milliliter)]
    Index Matches to: Sample

    GrindingContainer

    The container that the sample is transferred into for the grinding process. Refer to the Instrumentation Table for more information about the containers that are used for each model of grinders.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set to a suitable container based on the selected grinder Instrument and Amount of the sample.
    Pattern Description: An object of type or subtype Model[Container, Vessel] or Model[Container, GrindingContainer]
    Programmatic Pattern: ObjectP[{Model[Container, Vessel], Model[Container, GrindingContainer]}] | Automatic
    Index Matches to: Sample

    GrindingBead

    In ball mills, grinding beads or grinding balls are used along with the sample inside the grinding container to beat and crush the sample into fine particles as a result of rapid mechanical movements of the grinding container.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set 2.8 mm stainless steel if GrinderType is set to BallMill.
    Pattern Description: An object of type or subtype Model[Item, GrindingBead] or Object[Item, GrindingBead] or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: ((Null | ObjectP[{Model[Item, GrindingBead], Object[Item, GrindingBead]}]) | Automatic) | Null
    Index Matches to: Sample

    NumberOfGrindingBeads

    In ball mills, determines how many grinding beads or grinding balls are used along with the sample inside the grinding container to beat and crush the sample into fine particles.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set to a number of grinding beads that roughly have the same volume as the sample if GrinderType is set to BallMill. The number is estimated based on the estimated volume of the sample and diameter of the selected GrindingBead, considering 50% of packing void volume. When calculated automatically, NumberOfGrindingBeads will not be less than 1 or greater than 20.
    Pattern Description: Greater than or equal to 1 in increments of 1 or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: ((Null | GreaterEqualP[1, 1]) | Automatic) | Null
    Index Matches to: Sample

    GrindingRate

    Indicates the speed of the circular motion exerted by grinders to pulverize the samples into smaller powder particles.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set to the default RPM for the selected grinder Instrument according to the values in the Instrumentation Table.
    Pattern Description: Greater than or equal to 0.01 hertz and less than or equal to 420 hertz or greater than or equal to 1 revolution per minute and less than or equal to 25000 revolutions per minute.
    Programmatic Pattern: (RangeP[1*RPM, 25000*RPM] | RangeP[0.01*Hertz, 420*Hertz]) | Automatic
    Index Matches to: Sample

    Time

    Determines the duration for which the solid substance is ground into a fine powder in the grinder.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set to a default value based on the Instrument selection according to Instrumentation Table.
    Pattern Description: Greater than or equal to 1 second and less than or equal to 72 hours in increments of 1 second.
    Programmatic Pattern: RangeP[1*Second, $MaxExperimentTime, 1*Second] | Automatic
    Index Matches to: Sample

    SampleLabel

    A user defined word or phrase used to identify the samples that are being ground, for use in downstream unit operations.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Pattern Description: A string or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: ((Null | _String) | Automatic) | Null
    Index Matches to: Sample

    SampleOutLabel

    A user defined word or phrase used to identify the sample collected at the end of the grinding step, for use in downstream unit operations.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Pattern Description: A string or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: ((Null | _String) | Automatic) | Null
    Index Matches to: Sample

    ContainerOutLabel

    A user defined word or phrase used to identify the ContainerOut that the sample is transferred into after the grinding step, for use in downstream unit operations.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Pattern Description: A string or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: ((Null | _String) | Automatic) | Null
    Index Matches to: Sample

    Duty Cycle

    NumberOfGrindingSteps

    Determines how many times the grinding process is interrupted for cool down to completely grind the sample and prevent excessive heating of the sample. Between each grinding step there is a cooling time that the grinder is switched off to cool down the sample and prevent excessive rise in sample's temperature.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set to 1 or determined based on the specified GrindingProfile Option.
    Pattern Description: Greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 50 in increments of 1.
    Programmatic Pattern: RangeP[1, 50, 1] | Automatic
    Index Matches to: Sample

    CoolingTime

    Determines the duration of time between each grinding step that the grinder is switched off to cool down the sample and prevent excessive rise in the sample's temperature.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set to 30 Second if NumberOfGrindingSteps is greater than 1.
    Pattern Description: Greater than or equal to 1 second and less than or equal to 72 hours in increments of 1 second or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: ((Null | RangeP[1*Second, $MaxExperimentTime, 1*Second]) | Automatic) | Null
    Index Matches to: Sample

    GrindingProfile

    A set of steps of the grinding process, with each step provided as {grinding rate, grinding time} or as {wait time} indicating a cooling period to prevent the sample from overheating.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set to reflect the selections of GrindingRate, Time, NumberOfGrindingSteps, and CoolingTime.
    Pattern Description: List of one or more Cooling or Grinding entries.
    Programmatic Pattern: {({RangeP[0*RPM, 25000*RPM] | RangeP[0*Hertz, 420*Hertz], RangeP[1*Second, $MaxExperimentTime, 1*Second]} | {RangeP[1*Second, $MaxExperimentTime, 1*Second]})..} | Automatic
    Index Matches to: Sample

    Storage Information

    ContainerOut

    The desired container that the generated ground samples should be transferred into after grinding.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Default Calculation: Automatically set to a preferred container based on the result of PreferredContainer function. PreferredContainer function returns the smallest model of ECL standardized container which is compatible with model and can hold the provided volume.
    Pattern Description: An object of type or subtype Model[Container, Vessel] or Object[Container, Vessel] or a prepared sample.
    Programmatic Pattern: (ObjectP[{Model[Container, Vessel], Object[Container, Vessel]}] | _String) | Automatic
    Index Matches to: Sample

    SamplesOutStorageCondition

    The non-default conditions under which any new samples generated by this experiment should be stored after the protocol is completed. If left unset, the new samples will be stored according to their StorageCondition or their Models' DefaultStorageCondition.
    Default Value: Null
    Pattern Description: {AmbientStorage, EnclosedAmbientStorage, Refrigerator, Freezer, DeepFreezer, CryogenicStorage, YeastIncubation, YeastShakingIncubation, BacterialIncubation, BacterialShakingIncubation, MammalianIncubation, ViralIncubation, CrystalIncubation, AcceleratedTesting, IntermediateTesting, LongTermTesting, UVVisLightTesting, Oven}, Desiccated, VacuumDesiccated, RefrigeratorDesiccated, or Disposal or an object of type or subtype Model[StorageCondition] or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: (Null | ((SampleStorageTypeP | Desiccated | VacuumDesiccated | RefrigeratorDesiccated | Disposal) | ObjectP[Model[StorageCondition]])) | Null
    Index Matches to: Sample

Protocol Options

    Post Experiment

    MeasureWeight

    Indicates if any solid samples that are modified in the course of the experiment should have their weights measured and updated after running the experiment. Please note that public samples are weighed regardless of the value of this option.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Pattern Description: True or False or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: (BooleanP | Automatic) | Null

    MeasureVolume

    Indicates if any liquid samples that are modified in the course of the experiment should have their volumes measured and updated after running the experiment. Please note that public samples are volume measured regardless of the value of this option.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Pattern Description: True or False or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: (BooleanP | Automatic) | Null

    ImageSample

    Indicates if any samples that are modified in the course of the experiment should be freshly imaged after running the experiment. Please note that public samples are imaged regardless of the value of this option.
    Default Value: Automatic
    Pattern Description: True or False or Null.
    Programmatic Pattern: (BooleanP | Automatic) | Null

Example Calls

    Basic protocols for grinding solid samples

    Prepare 1 gram of each of the three different solids, then grind each sample into a fine powder:
    Basic protocol for solid samples:

    Specify options:

    Specify instrument options:
    Specify grinding options:
    Specify GrindingProfile option. {Rate, Time} indicates a grinding step while {Time} indicates a cooling step to prevent samples from overheating:
    Specify sample options:
    Specify storage options:

Preferred Input Containers

    Model[Instrument, Grinder, "BeadBug3" is compatible only with skirtless 2 mL conical tubes. Optimal sample amount for this container is approximately 0.2 - 1 mL
    Model[Instrument, Grinder, "BeadGenie" is compatible with 1.5, 2, 15, and 50 mL conical tubes. It holds 12 microtubes (1.5/2 mL), 6 15 mL, or 3 50 mL conical tubes. Optimal sample amount for these containers are approximately 0.2-1 mL, 1-7.5mL, and 7.5-20mL, respectively.
    Model[Instrument, Grinder, "Mixer Mill MM400"] is compatible with a range of grinding jars and tubes in various volumes. Currently, only the listed containers are available at ECL. Additional containers or adapters can be acquired upon request. Optimal sample amount for these containers are approximately 7.5 - 20 mL.
    Model[Instrument, Grinder, "Tube Mill Control" is compatible only with this model of grinding container. Optimal sample amount for this container is approximately 1 - 40 mL.
    Model[Instrument, Grinder, "Automated Mortar Grinder" is compatible only with this model of grinding container. Optimal sample amount for this container is approximately 10 - 150 mL.

Warnings and Errors

    Messages

Possible Issues

    Possible Issues with Estimating Solid Sample

    When determining the amount of solid samples, ensure that the total volume remains within the capacity of the target container. Consider void volumes in powders when estimating volumes based on mass to avoid overfilling.
Last modified on Thu 11 Sep 2025 17:23:38

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