Biofuels

Research and Development

Biofuels research is one of the most dynamic areas within biotechnology. As the well-established “First generation biofuels” compete with food production it is necessary to search for alternative feedstocks and new techniques.
Biofuel production often requires instruments capable of operating at or beyond the limits of traditional bioprocesses. This may include high temperatures, anaerobic conditions, and/or multi-step procedures. Conversion of complex structures such as lignocellulose typically requires a pre-treatment and enzyme-catalyzed degradation to simple sugars suitable as substrates for fermentation.

Feedstock Characterization

Feedstock Characterization

Cooling, heating, mixing, spinning - all or any of these steps can be part of feedstock analysis. The one thing that combines all these steps is the pipette. A broad range of laboratory consumables can be used for preparation and/or sample collection.

  • Centrifuges
    • Max. rotor capacity: 48 x 1.5/2.0 mL, 6 x 50 mL, 2 x MTP
    • Max. speed: 30,130 x g (17,500 rpm)
    • Remarkable versatility with 12 different rotors
    • Soft-touch one-finger lid closure for ergonomic operation
    • Menu-driven, multi lingual operation menu (English, German,
      French, Spanish) with large backlit display
  • Cuvettes
    • Suitable for measuring small volumes (≥50 µL)
    • UV and Vis-transparent between 220 nm and 1,600 nm
    • Two built-in optical path lengths in a single cuvette - just turn
      the UVette 90° to change from 10 mm and 2 mm
    • Volume markings for 500 µL and 1,000 µL
    • Available in individually packaged PCR clean and protein-free quality
  • Pipettes and Tips
    • The unique one-button operation offers a fast and ergonomic handling with reduced operating effort and active aerosol reduction. To avoid
      an accidential tip ejection a clear haptic feedback is provided.
    • The spring loaded tip cone improves user to user reproducibility
      and improved ergonomics by lowering tip attachment force
    • The Reference 2 multi channel offers a high flexibility including
      a spring-loaded tip cone which can be switched on/off optionally
    • The secondary adjustment supports the easy adjustment of your Reference 2 for the most accurate pipetting of different liquids
      or other external conditions without the need for a full calibration.
    • The quick lock enables an easy cleaning and maintenance
      of your pipette.
  • Tubes and Plates
    • Hinged Eppendorf Safe-Lock lid prevents unintentional lid opening during incubation and storage
    • Polypropylene provides high resistance to chemicals, mechanical stress and temperature extremes
    • Manufactured without the use of slip agents, plasticizers, and biocides – substances that have been shown to leach from plastic consumables into the sample and negatively affect bio-assay results
    • g-Safe®: Exceptional centrifugation stability up to 30,000 x g prevents sample loss due to tube breakage and provides extra safety when working with hazardous samples
    • Precise lid sealing for minimal evaporation rates during long-term storage
  • Thermo mixing devices
    • Heating, mixing and cooling in all common vessel and plate formats
      from 5 µL to 50 mL
    • Increased mixing frequency up to 3,000 rpm
      (depending on the SmartBlock used)
    • Excellent mixing performance due to unique 2DMix-Control technology
    • Anti-spill technology prevents lid wetting and cross-contamination
    • Reliable prevention of condensate formation with the new ThermoTop (condens.protect®)
Enzyme Optimization

Enzyme Optimization

High-throughput enzymatic assays using our PlateReader help finding the right enzymes to degrade biomass. Genetic engineering, e.g. in E. coli, aims at improving enzyme stability and activity in the target environment - Our Mastercyclers guarantee convenient and extremely fast PCR runs.

  • Electroporator
    • Faster sample handling - simple one-button operation
    • Maximum safety via integrated cuvette holder
    • Self-explanatory operation guided by display indicators
    • Fast, freely programmable softkeys for saving and accessing
      the 2 most frequently used parameters
    • Compact, space-saving design
  • Shakers
    • Stackable – up to three units for maximum space savings
    • Programmable Innova controls automatically changes temperature, speed and optional photosynthetic and UV germicidal lights at timed intervals
    • Versatile accessory platform (sold separately) accommodates flasks
      up to 5 L
    • Slide-out platform mechanism — provides easy and effortless access
      to flasks located in the front and back of the shaker/incubator
    • Built-in water reservoir humidifies chamber to reduce sample evaporation, while also protecting unit from spills, includes a drain
      for easy cleaning.
  • Microvolume cuvette
    • Microvolume measuring cell for measuring 1.5 - 10 µL sample volumes
    • Low self-absorption (≤0.05 A @ 260 nm)
    • Hydrophobic surface coating on quartz glass for precise formation and positioning of the sample volume
    • Simple cleaning to minimize the risk of sample carry-over
    • A defined angle for folding the sides of the cuvette quarantees reproducible handling
  • Automation
    • 0.5 to 300 μL with one system
    • Electronic pipetting with synchronous 96 channel piston movement
      for better precision and reproducibility or results
    • Auto-detect function for tip size
    • Use 50 μL & 300 μL reload tips for best accuracy
    • Intuitive & industry proven software concept & convenient touch screen control
  • Thermocycler
    • Intuitive graphic programming
    • Small footprint
    • Universal block for ultimate flexibility
    • Connect up to 2 Mastercycler nexus eco to your existing unit
    • Available with gradient
Strain Selection

Strain Selection

Higher yields, specific productivity, product tolerance – the DASbox Mini Bioreactor System is the superior tool for identifying the right yeast strain. Our DASGIP PhotoBioreactor provides optimum light conditions for phototrophic organisms such as algae.

  • Mini Bioreactor System
    • Parallel set-up of 4, 8, 12 or more bioreactors
    • Excellent scalability and reproducibility in both microbial and cell culture applications
    • Supports industry standard glass bioreactors (DASbox Mini Bioreactor) as well as BioBLU 0.3 Single-use Vessels
    • Small working volumes save on the amount of cell material, media and supplements required
    • Extremely compact system with a footprint of only 7.5 cm (3 in) benchspace per vessel
  • Automation
    • Same as 5075t, plus
    • Combination of magnetic finger module and Thermomixer
    • Dedicated MagSep reagent kits for nucleic acid purification form 1–24 samples
    • 3 x Prep assistants for user guided automation of nucleic acid purification with MagSep kits
    • 4 x PCR assistants to streamline PCR set-up workflow
  • Microvolume cuvette
    • Microvolume measuring cell for measuring 1.5 - 10 µL sample volumes
    • Low self-absorption (≤0.05 A @ 260 nm)
    • Hydrophobic surface coating on quartz glass for precise formation and positioning of the sample volume
    • Simple cleaning to minimize the risk of sample carry-over
    • A defined angle for folding the sides of the cuvette quarantees reproducible handling
  • Parallel Bioreactor Systems
    • Advanced process control and parallel operation of 4, 8 or more bioreactors
    • Comprehensive information management, integration of external devices and DoE with DASware discover
    • Scalable bioreactors with working volumes of 200 mL – 3.8 L
    • Direct overhead drives ranging from 30 – 1600 rpm
    • Precise temperature control with the DASGIP Bioblock or heating blankets/cooling fingers
Fermentation/Process Development

Fermentation/Process Development:

Eppendorf benchscale fermentation equipment provides users with the ability to closely monitor and control pH, DO, and redox, and to maintain aerobic conditions. With the DASGIP Bioblock temperatures of up to 99°C can be controlled.

  • Parallel Bioreactor Systems
    • Advanced process control and parallel operation of 4, 8 or more bioreactors
    • Comprehensive information management, integration of external devices and DoE with DASware discover
    • Scalable bioreactors with working volumes of 200 mL – 3.8 L
    • Direct overhead drives ranging from 30 – 1600 rpm
    • Precise temperature control with the DASGIP Bioblock or heating blankets/cooling fingers
  • Benchtop Fermentor
    • Updated flexible software platform for universal control of both microbial and cell culture applications
    • Easy-to-use, automated control for critical process parameters
    • Compatible with BioBLU Single-Use Vessels for fermentation and cell culture applications
    • Precise temperature control provided through interchangeable heat-blanketed or water-jacketed vessels
    • High precision thermal mass flow controller (TMFC) for automatic gas flow control
  • Design of Experiments
    • Built-in full factorial DoE: easy definition of experimental factors and responses; center points and randomized positioning of runs
    • Integration of 3rd party DoE tools like JMP and others
    • Recipe generator supporting multiple system layouts
  • Temperature Control
    • Compact solution for 4 vessels with a footprint of 425 x 520 mm
      (17 x 20 in)
    • Accurate temperature control up to 99°C, individually in each well
    • Wide range of Bioblock-suitable glass and single-use vessels for cell culture and microbiology
    • Vessels can be directly inserted into the Bioblock without any additional connections
  • Analyzer integration
    • Integration of 3rd party lab devices into bioreactor control units
    • Enables bidirectional OPC interconnectivity, process-triggered feedback control loop and sampling on demand
    • Allows for online calculations and event- or data-driven decisions
    • Users benefit from integration of existing benchtop equipment, better process understanding and optimal process control
    • Integration includes nutrient analyzers & cell counters, biomass monitors, mass spectrometers, automation platforms and autosamplers, HPLC and Raman spectroscopy
  • Bench-Scale Controller

     

    • Universal control for both microbial and cell culture applications
    • Interchangeable autoclavable and BioBLU<reg/> single-use vessels
    • Compact design with left- and right-handed orientation for industry leading minimum footprint
    • Control up to eight (8) systems from a single-user interface
Fermentation/Scale Up

Fermentation/Scale Up

With our New Brunswick BioFlo Sterilize-in-Place fermentors biofuels processes can easily be scaled up to 2,400 L. ASME-rated pressure vessels in various sizes ensure safe operation.

  • BioFlo® 510
    • RPC (Reactor Process Control) software or optional Allen Bradley PLC
    • 15.6 L and 32.0 L stainless-steel Electropolished vessels with 2:1 aspect ratios
    • Integrated load cell
    • 3-Fixed speed peristaltic pumps for the additions, harvest and pH control
    • Benchtop or Mobile option
  • BioFlo® 610
    • Pilot to production scale fermentor
    • Sterilize-in-place technology
    • 13 – 100 L working volume
    • Small footprint and mobile skid for simplified transport
    • Diverse range of specialized impellers
  • BioFlo® Pro
    • Large scale industrial system
    • Sterilize-in-place technology
    • 32–2400 L working volume
    • Modular design with several field-upgradeable options for easy customization
    • Multiple impeller and gas flow options