Roles
Research & development
Clear insight when formulation decisions matter most.
Research and development teams are responsible for turning ideas into products that perform consistently at scale.
AQUALAB supports R&D teams with precise, reliable moisture measurements that help them design stability into formulations early and move toward production with confidence.
Common challenges for R&D teams.
Hidden formulation instability
Products can look successful at the bench but fail during storage or scale up. Moisture interactions that are not visible early can surface later as clumping, texture drift, or reduced shelf life, slowing development and forcing reformulation.
Unpredictable ingredient interactions
Ingredient changes driven by cost, availability, or clean label goals can alter moisture behavior in unexpected ways. Without clear insight into how ingredients interact, R&D teams are left reacting instead of designing with confidence.
Slow and uncertain shelf life studies
Traditional shelf life testing takes time and often reveals problems late in the process. When moisture driven failures appear after packaging or pilot runs, timelines slip and launch risk increases.
Scale up surprises
Formulations that work in small batches do not always translate cleanly to production. Differences in environment, process conditions, and equipment can expose moisture sensitivities that were not identified during development.
Precision that supports better formulation decisions.
AQUALAB helps R&D teams understand how moisture actually behaves in their products so stability can be designed in from the start. Fast, precise water activity measurements allow scientists to map critical moisture ranges tied to performance, safety, and shelf life. Consistent data across instruments and teams supports clearer handoff from R&D to Production and QA.
With accurate results delivered quickly, teams can evaluate formulation changes, validate packaging choices, and accelerate development without sacrificing confidence.
“We’re using the water meter in rural sites so that farmers can understand what their R&D looks like, at what level they need to be for food safety protocol, for good manufacturing practices—all the standard operating procedures”
Brynn Foster, Founder
Voyaging Foods
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
Experience you can rely on
For more than 40 years, AQUALAB has helped R&D teams around the world manage moisture with clarity and consistency. Today, more than 90 of the world’s top food and pharmaceutical companies rely on AQUALAB instruments and expertise to support daily R&D decisions.
Our work spans global manufacturing environments, regulatory frameworks, and product types, giving R&D teams a trusted scientific foundation they can defend.
Lab services support
When questions go beyond routine testing, AQUALAB Lab Services provide expert moisture analysis to help diagnose issues, validate results, and uncover root causes.
Explore lab servicesWater activity meters
AQUALAB instruments deliver fast, accurate, and repeatable water activity measurements designed for daily production verification.
AQUALAB 4TE
Fast. Precise. Economical. Meet the renowned instrument that brought water activity to the business world.
- aw in <5 min
- Highly compliant + compatible
- Secure data storage
AQUALAB 3
Lightning-fast total moisture analysis to tighten process control and boost quality.
- MC + aw in one
- Results in 60 seconds
- For the lab or the line
Lab services
Precision lab testing services to confirm quality, consistency, and compliance.
- Accurate results
- Fast turnaround
- Industry standards
Knowledge base
Explore resources, application notes, and expert guidance to help your R&D team make moisture management simpler, clearer, and more reliable.
Predict packaging performance to maximize product shelf life
You only need two key metrics to evaluate packaging: water activity and package permeability. Let's take a look at how to use them and why they're important.
Calculating the change in energy for food scientists
A change in energy comes with a change in vapor pressure. Let's break down how the first law of thermodynamics can help calculate the amount of change.
The food manufacturer's step-by-step guide to lowering water activity with humectants
There are countless humectants on the market, and many ways to use them profitably — but which one is right for you, and how should you put it to work?
Government regulations recommend water activity measurements in food
FDA, USDA, USP, AOAC, ICH, ISO, Eudralex – regulatory bodies around the globe require the use of water activity. We've compiled a complete regulation reference list.