About Us - Surface Measurement Systems

About Us
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Surface Measurement Systems (SMS) Ltd develops and engineers innovative experimental techniques and instrumentation for physico-chemical characterisation of complex solids. We are the world leaders in dynamic vapor sorption technology and inverse gas chromatography instrumentation and solutions, providing professional world-class scientific and technical support for our international customers. By carefully controlling, measuring and analysing the physicochemical interaction of vapours with solid samples such as powders, fibres and films, SMS can help solve problems in research and development, such as stability studies and drying performance, through to manufacturing & quality control.

Our range of characterisation instruments and scientific/ engineering techniques has helped solve difficult problems in the pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, polymers catalysts, chemical, cosmetics and food industries, and are used by hundreds of leading laboratories and universities throughout the world.

OUR MISSION …

To expands the frontiers of particle, materials and surface science by developing unique characterization solutions. We aim to foster a spirit of integrity and commitment, where professionalism can flourish in an environment that provides a high degree of employee satisfaction. To be attentive and responsive to our customers needs by developing positive long-term relationships. To continuously forge the company into a world class organization and remain synonymous with innovative engineering and scientific excellence.

COMPANY HISTORY

1990 … Surface Measurement Systems (SMS) Limited was established as a company. Its early work focussed on customised instrumentation for materials research and it provided solutions to major international companies such as DuPont and Unilever.

1991 … SMS began to develop the world’s first commercial water sorption gravimetric analyser, the Dynamic Vapour Sorption, (DVS). This was delivered to Pfizer (UK) in 1992. The novel use of ambient gas flow conditions for undertaking water vapour adsorption experiments on solid state materials made DVS a major advance over traditional methods for determining water sorption isotherms.

1992 … Saw the opening of our North American office in Allentown, PA.

1996 … SMS launch the world’s first commercial gravimetric analyser with organic vapour and in-situ video imaging capabilities.

1997 … SMS moved from central London, to new premises in West London, about 30 minutes from Heathrow, to support rapid business growth.

1999 … SMS began the development of the world’s first commercial patented Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) instrument for powder characterisation in conjunction with London School of Pharmacy, Pfizer, Roche and GSK.

2001 … SMS launches the world’s first humidity controlled environmental chamber for microscopes, the Vapour Generator Instrument (VGI). This unique approach allows a small sample zone of controlled humidity and temperature to be established for use with optical, Raman and IR microscopes.

2002 … SMS launches Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 21 CFR Part 11 compliant software for water sorption instrumentation at the AAPS Congress in Toronto. SMS receives a major SMART Award from the UK Department of Trade and Industry to support development of novel chromatographic methods for materials characterisation.

2003 … Continuing our pursuit of excellence, innovation and quality SMS becomes ISO9001-2000 accredited. 2003 also sees the launch for the first dual water and organic capable vapour sorption instrument, the DVS Advantage.

2004 … With rapid sales growth in France, SMS opens a dedicated office just outside of Paris.

2005 … SMS relocate to a brand new 10,000 sq. ft. head office in West London to accommodate business growth.

2006 … SMS launch the world’s first Parallel Multi Sample High Throughput DVS instrument, the DVS-HT to cater for the growing interest in improving commercial R&D and quality control productivity.

2007 … Saw the launch of the DVS-Intrinsic, a compact fully automated and economical DVS analyser.

2008 … With continued business growth in North America, the US office moves to a new 6600 sq. ft. facility close to the former location in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA.

2009 ... After nearly 10 year’s success with the Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC), SMS launches the ‘Surface Energy Analyser’ (SEA) to replace the IGC platform. This was announced at the November AAPS meeting in Los Angelos.

+ A joint SMS and Micromeritics collaboration was announced in 2009. This strategic partnership aims to reinforce the strength of both companies expertise in the area of surface science characterisation.

+ In line with SMS’s continued product improvement and development programme the newer DVS-Advantage™ is launched. The newer DVS-Advantage™ instrument builds upon the strength of the well know and popular DVS-Advantage platform. The new DVS-Advantage™ includes a dual in-line ‘Raman/NIR Ready’ port, modular removable pre-conditioning heater and an improved digital video imaging camera. The DVS-Advantage platform will provide the user with a more modular approach to gravimetric vapour sorption measurements.