Daryl Williams, founder of Surface Measurement Systems Ltd, developed Dynamic Vapor Sorption in 1991; the first instrument was delivered to Pfizer UK in 1992.
DVS was originally developed to replace the time and labor-intensive desiccators and saturated salt solutions used to measure water vapor sorption isotherms.
The moisture sorption properties of pharmaceutical materials such as excipients, drug formulations and packaging films are recognized as critical factors in determining their storage, stability, processing and application performance.
Gravimetric vapor sorption experiments are one of the most sensitive methods for determining amorphous contents,[5][6][7] which may have a detrimental impact on the stability, manufacturability and dissolution characteristics of the formulated drug product.
The moisture sorption properties of food products are recognized as critical factors in determining their storage, stability, processing and application performance.
[10][11] Further, moisture sorption plays critical roles in the storage and performance of agricultural products like pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and seeds.
For instance, the moisturization of hair samples with different chemical (i.e. conditioning, coloring, and bleaching) and mechanical (i.e. perming, combing, and blow-drying) treatments.
[18] Other moisture sorption applications related to the personal care industry include the dehydration of contact lenses and superabsorbent polymers.