If you are seeking better control and efficiency over your experiments, a precision-programmable syringe pump is perfect for your research needs. Ossila have developed a new range of low-cost, high-precision syringe pumps - designed to make life in the lab easier by enabling the automatic dispensing of solutions.
Many experiments require either:
- Precision timing (e.g. perovskite anti-quenching during spin coating by dispensing a non-solvent at a precise time)
- A slow and controlled hours-long dispense of solutions to produce repeatable and reliable results (e.g. perovskite single-crystal growth in solution by adding solvent slowly over several days)
Whether your experiments require slow or quick dispensing of solutions, our precision-programmable low-cost syringe pumps will cater to your needs. The inbuilt software for digital controls mean that the syringe pump is ready to be used immediately upon being plugged in - it does not require connection to an external computer.
Features:
- Delivers accurate and continuous flow of volumes, ranging from nanoliters per minute to millilitres per second.
- Easy-to-use design, accommodating syringes with sizes from 5μl to 50ml.
- Wide range of flow rates, from as low as 1nl.s-1 to over 3ml.s-1
- High degree of user flexibility – operates in both infusion & withdraw modes.
- Each syringe pump is individually programmable, and saves up to 20 different programs at once. Each program can contain up to 100 individual steps where the dispense volume, rate, and time can be controlled.
- For the dual syringe variant, each can operate independently - e.g. at the same time, one can be in infusion mode whilst the other is in withdraw mode, or one can be used while the other is not being used.
Ossila’s syringe pump will dramatically improve the reproducibility and quality of your results, helping you to obtain publication-quality data more quickly - all at an affordable price of £1400 (excluding taxes).
What are Syringe Pumps?
Syringe pumps (also known as syringe drivers) are used for the movement of fixed volumes of solutions at a specified rate, to deliver/remove a specific amount from a solution. This is achieved via the use of a motor that can either insert or retract a plunger from a syringe. By knowing the internal diameter of the syringe and the distance moved by the motor, the volume and rate at which a solution is moved can be calculated. The video on the right shows how a single pump can be used to either continuously infuse or withdraw a liquid, or provide a pulsed flow.
When two syringes are controlled, a wider range of experimental setups can be used, below is an example of the precise mixing of two different solutions is shown. This can allow for accurate control of chemical reactions in processes such as microfluidics. In addition this process can be used for producing emulsions of two immiscible solutions. When combined with equipment such as check valves and solvent reservoirs the pump can be used for continuous pumping of a single solution .
Applications
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Uses include:
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List of compatible syringes:
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Specifications
| Travel Per Revolution | 1 mm |
| Steps Per Revolution | 200 |
| Travel Per Step | 5 μm |
| Microsteps Per Step | 64 |
| Travel Per Microstep | 78 nm |
| Minimum Speed | 12 μm.s-1 |
| Maximum Speed | 5 mm.s-1* |
| Maximum Linear Force | 500 N |
* Maximum speed can exceed this however this is dependent upon solution viscosity, syringe diameter, tube/needle diameter, and tube/needle length.
In-built Software
Ossila's intuitive syringe pump software allows for the easy programming of complex multi-step experiments - without needing to connect it to an external computer or laptop. The software can save up to 10 different programs with a total of 99 steps. Each step allows the user to select a dispense rate, a dispense time, and/or a dispense volume.
Combining a colour LCD display, easy-to-use touch pad, and intuitive user interface allows for rapid navigation through the options and settings. This lets you set up and run new experiments quickly and easily.
You are able to set the syringe size either from a range of preset sizes, or by entering a custom size. Additionally, the maximum force provided can be controlled, allowing the user to protect glass syringes from potential damage. A manual mode has also been added, allowing the position of the syringe pump to be set up quickly for faster loading and unloading of syringes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The maximum and minimum flow rates of the syringe pump is determined by both the stepping rate of the motor driving the syringe and the diameter of the syringe in use. For different volume syringes the maximum and minimum flow rates for the system will vary, below is a table that quickly summarises the flow rates achievable with different syringe sizes.
| Syringe Volume | Syringe Diameter | Minimum Flow Rate | Maximum Flow Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 μl | 0.103 mm | 0.4 nl.s-1 (1.44 μl.hr-1) | 0.17 μl.s-1 (0.6 ml.hr-1) |
| 10 μl | 0.46 mm | 7.98 nl.s-1 (28.8 μl.hr-1) | 3.23 μl.s-1 (11.6 ml.hr-1) |
| 100 μl | 1.46 mm | 80.0 nl.s-1 (288 μl.hr-1) | 33.5 μl.s-1 (121 ml.hr-1) |
| 1 ml | 4.61 | 0.80 μl.s-1 (2.88 ml.hr-1) | 0.33 ml.s-1 (1.18 l.hr-1) |
| 5 ml | 10.3 | 3.99 μl.s-1 (14.4 ml.hr-1) | 1.67 ml.s-1 (6.01 l.hr-1) |
| 50 ml | 32.6 | 40.1 μl.s-1 (144 ml.hr-1) | 16.7 ml.s-1 (60.1 l.hr-1) |
As can be seen in the table by choosing the correct syringe diameter it is possible to achieve a range of dispense rates spanning 8 orders of magnitude.
Just like the maximum and minimum dispense rates, the accuracy of dispensing depends on the accuracy of both the syringe pump and the syringe being used. The Ossila syringe pump has a stepping accuracy of 0.16% which gives a rate accuracy of 19 nm.s-1. However different syringes will have manufacturing tolerances on the internal diameter, the type of syringe used therefore will have a strong impact on the accuracy of flow rates.
Plastic disposable syringes commonly used due to their ease have the lowest tolerances with diameters that can vary by up to 3% depending upon the manufacturer, this can result in up to a 6% error in your dispense rate. Glass and stainless steel syringes have a higher tolerance with a maximum of 0.5% variation in the internal diameter, this results in a volume error of up to 1%.
The maximum applicable force can be varied in the system for use as an additional safety feature. At its maximum the pump can apply over 500N of linear force to the syringe. For a 50ml syringe this equates to a pressure of 4.37 bar placed upon the piston, while for a 5ml syringe this becomes as high as 47 bar. Most syringes are rated up to a certain maximum pressure, for plastic syringes this is 10 bar, glass syringes this can be as low as 1.5 bar or as high as 30 bar depending upon the make. Therefore setting maximum limitations within the software based upon the syringe manufacturers recommendations protects your syringes against damage.
As it has been designed to be a completely self-contained unit, no external controls are required in order to operate the system. With its built-in memory, up to 20 programmes each with 100 individual steps can be stored. This allows for the programming of complex processes, such as sequential deposition of multilayered structures.
The exit of the syringe can be connected to the spin coater via the use of PTFE tubing with female/male Luer lock adapters fitted at the ends. The diameter and length of the tubing used is dependent upon the total volume of solution you have as well as the viscosity of the solution. For highly viscous solutions we recommend a wider diameter pipe to maintain a lower overall pressure within the system.
At the exit of the tubing, we recommend using a blunt needle with a Luer lock adapter for the actual dispensing of solution into the spin coater. By selecting a specific gauge of needle the minimum droplet size can be varied for your experimental needs. The blunt ending also reduces the chances of injury or damage to equipment if used within a glovebox.
The ends of the needles can be positioned directly above the spin coater entrance by using clamps or other similar equipment. Alternatively a rubber stopper with a single hole in the middle can be used to hold the needle in position, we recommend a stopper size of 0 or 1 for the Ossila spin coater to get a tight fit within the lids hole.
When auto dispensing solvents, why do I sometimes get droplets dispensed after the pump has stopped?
The cause of solution dripping can be due to several factors, including: the syringe type being used, the presence of air bubbles, the viscosity of the solution, the density of solution, and the surface tension.
The most common cause of this occurrence is when a pressure difference between the inside of the syringe and the outside remains after the solution has been dispensed. This can happen when air bubbles are trapped inside the solution, resulting in a compression of the gasses during dispensing. After the pump has stopped, the compressed air expands and pushes solution out of the syringe. Similarly, for plastic syringes and pipes, elastic deformation. Over time, this can result in dripping of the solution.
This can be avoided by removing bubbles within the syringe before loading, using tubing and syringes that show limited amounts of elastic deformation, and reducing the overall pressures within the syringe. To avoid a build-up build up in the syringe lower dispense rates should be used, the viscosity of solution can be reduced, or the velocity of the solution can be reduced by increasing the diameter of pipes and needles.
Sometimes, dripping can be due to the use of dense solutions with low surface tensions and viscosities. The adhesive forces between i) the molecules in the solution, and ii) the surface of the needle and tubing can become lower than the gravitational force acting upon the solution within the tube. This results in the continuous dripping of solution, until the gravitational force acting on the solution in the tubing becomes lower than the combined adhesive forces of the solution and the increasing pressure difference due to the displaced volume.
To reduce the effects of dripping from dense, low surface tension solutions, a lower diameter of tubing and needles should be used. Alternatively, the tubing and needle can be tilted horizontally to reduce the gravitational force being exerted in the direction of the tubing.
Product Testimonials
To the best of our knowledge the technical information provided here is accurate. However, Ossila assume no liability for the accuracy of this information. The values provided here are typical at the time of manufacture and may vary over time and from batch to batch.