Brightly colored and fluorescent polymer microspheres are specifically designed for use as precision flow tracers and seed particles for water flow visualization and particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiments. Highly spherical microparticles with tight size distribution and density of 1g/cc, matching to properties of fresh water, are used as flow tracers or seeding particles, clearly visible as they follow the flow of the liquid.

Suspension of microspheres in fresh water enables the visualization and characterization of fluid flow and simulating the capability of a device to withstand certain size particles without obstructing. Note: Polyethylene microspheres are hydrophobic and require a surfactant for proper suspension.