Fanless incubator range offers a number of advantages, and has a broad choice of custom options including tri-gas, below-ambient cooling unit, copper chamber and six inner doors
New Brunswick Scientific's range of Innova CO2 incubators has been specially designed to maintain heat uniformity without a fan.
This is achieved by a unique direct heat system generated from all six sides of the chamber, ingeniously maintaining a stable and uniform culture environment.
There are a number of key advantages to fanless circulation: convection is gentler so there is no vibration and less cell dehydration - particularly relevant when using 96-well microplates where desiccation is a significant problem.
Furthermore, potential contaminants are not driven vigorously round the chamber and there are no fan parts to disassemble and clean between cycles.
If the door is opened, outside air is not drawn quickly into the chamber because the air moves relatively slowly.
And it is not necessary to use heavy-gauge steels in the construction of a CO2 incubator that is not water-jacketed, so all models are comparatively lightweight and easy to relocate in the laboratory.
The large-character display is particularly helpful, guiding the user smoothly through set-up and programming - in fact the user manual is incorporated into the on-screen help menus.
Handy automated functions include 72-hour datalogging to record all events and conditions, auto-reset of CO2 baseline (alarm setpoints change automatically at reset) and high temperature decontamination. Both 48 and 170-litre models fit on or under a standard lab bench and can be supplied with castors for added convenience.
A deliberate cool spot has been specially positioned to draw condensate and direct it back into the water tray, preventing it from forming elsewhere.
With such a broad choice of custom options including tri-gas, below-ambient cooling unit, copper chamber and six inner doors it is not surprising that Innova CO2 Incubators are fast gathering a no-fan fan club!