Mastering Lab Tasks with an Ultrasonic Homogenizer

Sonicators are essential lab tools used for a wide range of applications, such as homogenization and mixing, extraction, dispersing, emulsifying, dissolution, cell disruption, DNA fragmentation, and sonochemical reactions. Typically, probe-type sonicators are used to fulfill these common tasks in daily laboratory work. For lab samples, where cross-contamination or sample loss are limiting factors, Hielscher non-contact sonicators are the go-to solution for ultrasonic sample preparation.

Probe-Type Sonicators and Non-Contact Sonicators

The probe-type sonicator applies intense ultrasound waves – focused at the tip of the sonotrode or probe – into the medium. Using an open or closed vessel allows for simple, yet reliable ultrasonic treatment of liquid media. Mounting the sonotrode to a flow cell allows for the continuous sonication of a liquid stream. Such flow-through setup is a sophisticated way to ultrasonically process larger volumes or viscous liquids and pastes.
Using non-contact sonicators such as VialTweeter, the Multi-well Plate Sonicator UIP400MTP, the CupHorn, and the GDmini2 flow reactor, samples can be processed under no-touch / non-contact conditions – avoiding cross-contamination and sample loss. Another advantage of Hielscher non-contact sonicators is the high-throughput capacity in sample preparation.

 

 
Sonication is the act of applying power ultrasound via an ultrasonic probe to agitate and manipulate particles in a sample. Ultrasonicators are widely used in academic research, analytical and forensic laboratories, clinical facilities and production sites, where sonication is used to homogenize and mix liquid-liquid or liquid-solid suspensions, to extract bioactive substances and cellular compounds, to disintegrate cells, bacteria, and tissue, to dissolve powders, to dislodge biofilms or to initiate chemical reactions.

 

 

Since the application field of sonicators is so broad, sonicators are often termed in relation to their specific task. That is why you can find ultrasonicators under different terms such as:

• Ultrasonic Homogenizer:
  Ultrasonic homogenizers are used to mix and blend two or more phases into a uniform suspension. As a powerful alternative to high-pressure homogenizers, blade mixers and microfluidizers, probe-type sonicators shine with their exceptional capability to produce nano-dispersions and nano-emulsions.
• Ultrasonic Disperser:
  Ultrasonic dispersers use high-frequency sound waves to break down particles into smaller sizes and distribute them evenly within a liquid. This process is particularly useful for creating stable suspensions of solid particles in liquids, such as dispersing pigments in inks or particles in slurries.
• Ultrasonic Emulsifier:
  Ultrasonic emulsifiers utilize ultrasonic waves to create fine emulsions by mixing two immiscible liquids, such as oil and water. The high-intensity sound waves generate cavitation bubbles that implode, creating intense shear forces that break down the droplets into nano-sized emulsions, making them stable and uniform.
• Ultrasonic Cell Crusher:
  Also known as ultrasonic cell disruptors or lysers, these devices use ultrasonic energy to break open cell membranes and release intracellular contents. This process is essential in biological and biochemical applications for extracting proteins, DNA, and other cellular components.
• Ultrasonic Extractor:
  Ultrasonic extractors apply ultrasonic waves to disrupt plant material, enhancing the extraction of bioactive compounds, such as essential oils, flavonoids, or other phytochemicals. The cavitation effect improves solvent penetration and mass transfer, resulting in more efficient extraction.
• Ultrasonic Dissolver:
  Ultrasonic dissolvers utilize ultrasonic energy to dissolve solids in liquids quickly and efficiently. This is useful for preparing solutions or suspensions where the solute needs to be evenly and rapidly dispersed, such as in pharmaceuticals or chemical formulations.
• Ultrasonic Mixer:
  Ultrasonic mixers employ high-intensity ultrasound waves to mix liquids and slurries, ensuring a uniform composition. This mixing process can handle a wide range of viscosities and is particularly effective in homogenizing products that are difficult to mix with conventional methods such as cement pastes or master batches with high solid loads.
• Ultrasound Agitator:
  Ultrasound agitators use ultrasonic energy to stir or agitate liquids, promoting uniform mixing and preventing sedimentation. This method is beneficial in various industries for maintaining consistency in solutions, suspensions, or dispersions over time.

Sonication of Multi-well Plates and Petri Dishes

Multi-well plates and petri dishes are common lab vessels. Multi-well plates, also known as microplates or microwell plates, are flat plates with multiple “wells” used as small test tubes. They come in various configurations, typically with 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 wells, allowing for high-throughput screening and testing.
Petri dishes on the other hand, are shallow, cylindrical, lidded dishes typically made of glass or plastic. They provide a flat surface area for culturing microorganisms.
The specific design of both sample vessels comes with challenges when sonication should be applied as processing step. With the plate sonicator UIP400MTP, Hielscher offers a powerful sonicator that can handle any standard multiwell plates, microplates and petri dishes.
Learn more about the UIP400MTP as powerful sonicator for sample preparation in 96-well plates and petri dishes!
 

 
The table below gives you an overview of our probe-type and non-contact ultrasonicators for common lab applications: