Osmometer

An osmometer is a device for measuring the osmotic strength of a solution, colloid, or compound.

There are several different techniques employed in osmometry:

Vapor pressure osmometers determine the concentration of osmotically active particles that reduce the vapor pressure of a solution.

Freezing point depression may also be used to determine the osmotic strength of a solution, as osmotically active compounds depress the freezing point of a solution.

Osmometers are useful for determining the concentration of dissolved salts or sugars in blood or urine samples. Osmometry is also useful in determining the molecular weight of unknown compounds and polymers.