Case Studies and White Papers


Automated Enzyme Assay Design and Optimization

Published: September 2008
Authors: James Batchelor, Laurel Provencher, Abbie Estermann, Seth Cohen

This poster displays the abstract and results of an experiment done to optimize enzymatic assays. Experimenters tested buffer, detergent, salt, and cation combinations using a 384-well microtiter plate format. The presence of different detergents and their interactions with different buffers had a profound effect on the enzyme turnover.

Publication: Caliper LifeSciences (now PerkinElmer)

Optimizing Design of Experiments for Fluid Bed Coating

Published: September 2008

Upsher-Smith Laboratories used response surface methods (RSM) to optimize a fluid bed coating process that was producing inconsistent results. Aided by Design-Expert software, scientists discovered a most desirable setup that gave consistent results within specifications with little variability. When transferred to production, the new setup provided excellent results.

Publication: Pharma QbD

Design of Experiments Reduces Rubber Scrap by 90%

Published: September 2008
Author: Mark Anderson

A custom rubber molder used DOE to uncover a combination of material selection and manufacturing protocol that created unacceptable results. Armed with this process knowledge, they achieved breakthrough quality improvements.

Publication: Rubber & Plastics News

Published: August 2008
Author: David Gore

A major Tier 1 automotive supplier wanted to improve the already high level of quality in their manufacturing process welding nuts to a metal seat frame. They contacted Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and requested a design of experiments (DOE) study to determine root causes of torque failures and areas of improvement.

Publication: Quality Magazine

Published: August 2008
Author: Mark Anderson

This article demonstrates how to uncover "sweet spots" where multiple fab-process specifications can be met in a most desirable way.

Publication: Fab Engineering & Operations

Published: June 2008
Authors: Dan Cler, Jerry Fireman

Design of experiments was used for a series of computer simulations to design a new generation of muzzle brakes. DOE saves time by reducing the amount of simulations required and makes it possible to optimize the design with a higher level of certainty.

Publication: Military Embedded Systems

Published: June 2008
Author: Aerochem Inc.

Mixture DOE catalyzed development of a primer-paint remover that met the requirements of an aircraft manufacturer for environmental safety and speed. The new formulation took only 2 hours to strip off coatings, a huge improvement over competitive products that needed over 8 hours.

Publication: Aerospace Engineering & Manufacturing

Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Increases Yield with Response Surface Methods

Published: April 2008

MannKind Corporation used designed experiments to identify and optimize critical process variables involved in producing a small molecule substrate for use in pulmonary drug delivery.

Publication: Pharmaceutical Processing

Published: April 2008
Author: Mark Anderson

In this mini-paper, Mark Anderson details an in-class experiment illustrating the power of two-level factorial design. Also learn how to shoot a wicked slap shot!

Publication: Statistics Division Newsletter

Statistical Design of Experiments on Fabrication of Starch Nanoparticles - A Case Study for Application of Response Surface Methods

Published: April 2008
Authors: Nadeem Irfan Bukhari, Simran Kaur, Saringat H. Bai, Yuen Kah Hay, Abu Bakar Abdul majeed, Yeow Beng Kang, Mark Anderson

This paper details the fabrication of nanoparticles as an example for showing a statistically-rigorous approach to design and analysis of pharmaceutical experiments.