About
Reliable liquid handling depends on accurate and precise dispensing across diverse volumes, liquid properties, and transfer modes. This application note evaluates the volumetric performance of the Formulatrix FLO i8® PD using the Artel MVS® Multichannel Verification System, a dual-dye measurement platform that provides NIST-traceable volume measurements.
The study evaluates both contact dispensing (CD) and non-contact dispensing (NCD) using FPD50 and FPD1000 disposable tips across a combined tested volume range of 0.2–250 µL. Performance was assessed with aqueous solutions as well as 75% glycerol to examine dispensing of a challenging viscous liquid.
The Challenge: Maintaining Reliable Volumetric Performance Across Diverse Liquids and Volumes
Automated laboratory workflows often involve a wide range of volumes, from sub-microliter dispensing to larger-volume transfers, frequently with liquids of widely varying physical properties. Maintaining accuracy and precision across these conditions can be challenging, particularly at very low volumes or when working with viscous solutions.
The FLO i8 PD uses positive displacement pipetting, where the plunger makes direct contact with the liquid, eliminating the air gap and variability associated with air compression. This liquid-class-agnostic approach enables reliable transfer of both aqueous and viscous liquids while providing independent control of eight channels.
What's Inside This Application Note
- Volumetric performance data for the FLO i8 PD across 0.2–250 µL using contact and non-contact dispensing modes
- Accuracy and precision measurements generated using the Artel MVS Multichannel Verification System
- Performance results for both FPD50 and FPD1000 disposable tips
- Evaluation of 75% glycerol at 5 µL and 50 µL without liquid-specific optimization of the dispensing parameters
- Comparative accuracy and precision data across the tested dispensing conditions
- Performance evaluation with a challenging viscous solution without liquid-specific parameter optimization
- Channel-by-channel performance data demonstrating consistent multichannel dispensing in both contact and non-contact modes
Download the Application Note
Access the complete application note to review the experimental methodology, cumulative volumetric performance results, and channel-level data for the FLO i8 PD.
FAQs
The FLO i8 PD is an 8-channel general-purpose automated liquid handler that combines positive displacement pipetting with non-contact dispensing. Its eight channels are independently controlled in span, Z-axis position, and volume, providing flexibility for a wide variety of tube- and plate-based laboratory workflows.