Powder cohesion and energy to break an avalanche: Can we address surface heterogeneity?

[Display omitted] • The cohesion was related to the specific surface area. • The dispersive component of the surface energy (van der Waals forces) prevailed. • Surface heterogeneity results confirmed preferable drug-excipient interactions. • Alginic acid showed a better carrier effect than calcium alginate. • The W adh / W coh ratio near to unity confirmed stability of interactive mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]