Polymer Processing
The VWR incubating microplate shaker provides consistent and uniform shaking action with aluminum tray equipped with four aluminum blocks for 4 mL or 20 mL vials. PID temperature controller for precise control from ambient +5 to 65 °C in 1 °C increments. Speed range of 100 to 1200 rpm with speed accuracy of +/- 2% of set speed for speed up to 999 rpm and +/- 5% for 1000-1200 rpm. Microprocessor restarts if power is interrupted. Triple eccentric drive with lubricated ball bearings and maintenance free, brushless DC motor. Temperature calibration mode to calibrate unit to an external temperature device. Overload protection by activation of audible and visual signals. Speed ramping feature to slowly increase speed to desired set-point. Timer with audible alarm present for 1 second to 9999 minutes. Orbit dimension: 0.12 in. (3 mm). Operating conditions: 5 to 40 °C (41 to 104 °F), maximum 80% relative humidity, non-condensing.
Heater-Shaker
The Laurell WS-650-23 B spin coater is compact and packed with advanced features. This 650-series coater system will accommodate up to 150 mm wafers and 5” x 5” (127 mm x 127 mm) substrates and features a maximum rotational speed of 12,000 RPM (based on a 100 mm silicon wafer). The housing for this system is typically made from a solid co-polymer blend exclusive to Laurell Technologies. Unlike pure Natural Polypropylene, this material is able to resist solvents and strong acids and bases. Samples are available for testing and verification upon request. A solid PTFE Hostaflon® TFM-1600 / Teflon® AF housing is available (popular for high temperature chemistry and sub-micron particle studies).
Spin Coater
FreeZone 2.5 Liter -84 °C Benchtop Freeze Dryer (Cat. Number 710201000) operates at a pressure of 0.05 mBar using Vacuubrand RZ 9 Pump. Frozen samples with a low eutectic point (e.g. water, acetonitrile) are placed in a vacuum flask on the unit and dry at ambient temperature under reduced pressure.
Lyophilizer
A Fisherbrand™ Isotemp™ Model 281A (left) and Model 282A (right) are used for general vacuum drying and heating applications. Both systems have an operating temperature from ambient to 280 °C. The 281A has a capacity of 0.02 m3 capacity and is coupled to a rotary vane pump RZ 6 (Vacuubrand, cat. #100141003) with a minimum pressure of 1.5 x 10-3 torr. The 282A has a capacity of 0.04 m3 and is coupled to a WELCH Self-Cleaning Vacuum System 2027 (cat. #202701) with a minimum pressure of 2 torr.
Vacuum Ovens
A 500 W ultrasonic processor (part no. VC 505A, Sonics & Materials) with timer and variable amplitude setting. Equipped with a 13 mm (0.5 in.) diameter and 139 mm (5.5 in.) solid Ti6Al4V titanium alloy probe (part no. 630–0219, Sonics & Materials) within a sound enclosure containing a support rod and converter clamp (part no. 830-00427, Sonics & Materials).
Ultrasonicator
An Eppendorf Centrifuge 5804 R is used primarily to isolate solids suspended in liquids, such as precipitated polymer. The system has a maximum centrifugation speed of 14,000 rpm and a temperature range from -9 °C to 40 °C. The plate rotor is compatable with MTP, PCR, cell culture, or Deepwell Plates (Catalog No. 022625080). Current centrifuge buckets are Eppendorf SL068, to hold 15 and 50 mL centrifuge tubes.
Centrifuge
The Speed mixer (DAC 1200-300 VAC, FlackTek) can rapidly homogenize viscous materials (up to ~106 cPs) using dual centrifugal acceleration. There are 250 available presets that allow up to 10 stages of different mixing conditions controlling the time, acceleration, max speed (800 – 2300 rpm), and vacuum level (>70 mbar). A Teflon insert holds 1-5 plastic containers mixing volumes from 2 mL – 1200 mL.
Speed Mixer
A temperature controlled doctor blade coater (MSK-AFA-IIIT-HBT, MTI Corp.) is used to produce films with thicknesses ranging from 0.01 to 3.5 mm. Controlling thickness in the range of 5-20 μm is achieved using a 4-path film applicator (EQ-Se-KTQ-4S). The usable coating area measures 320 mm × 100 mm in (l × w), equipped with a 100 mm wide micrometer adjustable film applicator. The length can be adjusted from 10-350 mm using an adjustable position switch. The traverse coating speed can be adjusted from 10-100 mm/s to ensure uniform coating with a wide range of viscosities. Top and bottom heating precisely controls temperature up to 120 °C with an accuracy of ± 1 °C. A vacuum pump (EQ-OFP-14) connected to the coater secures the substrate in place.
