Sonication Devices for your Lab Tasks

Sonication devices, particularly probe-type sonicators, are advanced tools widely used in laboratory and industrial settings. Utilizing the power of ultrasound, sonication devices can process various materials effectively. These devices work by transmitting ultrasonic energy through a probe (or horn) into a liquid or slurry, generating high-intensity, low-frequency ultrasound waves that create acoustic cavitation characterized by intense mechanical forces. These ultrasonic forces causes cavitation—microbubbles that expand and collapse rapidly—releasing powerful shear forces that promote various applications such as homogenization, cell lysis, particle size reduction, and more.

Understanding Sonication and Cavitation

Sonication is the process of applying ultrasound energy to agitate particles in a liquid. Ultrasound at frequencies between approx. 20 kHz and 30 kHz is capable to generate enough power to fulfill homogenization tasks efficiently. Such ultrasonic sound waves induce rapid cycles of compression and expansion in the liquid, leading to the formation of microscopic bubbles. When these microbubbles collapse violently, extreme forces can be observed. This energy-dense phenomenon is known as cavitation and is the driving force behind the effectiveness of sonication in material processing:

• Cavitation Bubbles: These microbubbles grow during the expansion phase of the sound wave and violently collapse during the compression phase. This collapse releases localized high-energy zones with temperatures and pressures reaching thousands of degrees Celsius and hundreds of atmospheres, albeit briefly and on a microscopic scale.
• Mechanical Shear Forces: The collapse of cavitation bubbles generates intense shear forces that can disrupt cell walls, disperse particles, and homogenize mixtures with exceptional efficiency.
  The ability to control cavitation is what makes sonication so valuable across various scientific fields, from molecular biology to materials science.

Types of Laboratory Sonicators

The two most common types of sonicators used in laboratories are:

• Probe-Type Sonicators: These sonicators use a titanium probe to directly transfer ultrasonic energy into the sample. They are ideal for high-intensity applications such as cell lysis, particle size reduction, and emulsification, as they deliver concentrated energy directly into the liquid. Probe sonicators are often favored for applications requiring high control over cavitation intensity.
• Bath-Type Sonicators: In this setup, samples are placed in a water bath that is then sonicated. This method provides uniform but generally less intense sonication compared to probe types. Bath sonicators are useful for cleaning laboratory equipment, gentle mixing, and certain types of chemical reactions.

Why are Probe-Type Sonicators Best for Homogenization?

Probe-type sonicators are considered the best choice for homogenization due to their ability to deliver high-intensity ultrasonic energy directly into the sample, producing powerful shear forces. Here’s why they excel in homogenization tasks:

• Direct Energy Transfer: Probe-type sonicators transmit ultrasonic energy through a titanium probe (or horn) that is directly immersed in the sample. This direct contact allows for highly efficient energy transfer, creating intense cavitation right in the solution. This is especially useful for homogenizing tough materials or suspensions that require substantial force to break down particles and distribute them evenly.
• High Shear Forces: The intense cavitation caused by probe-type sonicators generates strong shear forces within the liquid, which break apart particles, disrupt cell walls, and reduce particle sizes. These forces help to create a homogeneous mixture, as they can handle even highly viscous or dense suspensions effectively.
• Adjustable Intensity: Probe-type sonicators often come with adjustable power settings, allowing the user to tailor the intensity of the sonication to suit the specific homogenization requirements. Lower power levels can be used for gentle mixing, while higher levels can handle more challenging homogenization tasks.
• High-Throughput Capacity: Sonicators are well-suited for high-throughput workflows, where multiple samples require homogenization in a short time frame. With programmable settings, these sonicators can quickly process a series of samples, reducing preparation time and ensuring consistent results. Hielscher offers sonication devices that handle multiple vials simultaneously or multi-well plates, which is particularly valuable in research and industrial settings requiring rapid, uniform homogenization across numerous samples.
• Precision and Control: Since probe-type sonicators allow direct contact with the sample, they provide more precise control over the homogenization process. The probe’s immersion depth, frequency, and pulse settings can be finely adjusted, offering consistent and reproducible results across samples.
• Scalability: With various probe sizes available, probe-type sonicators are suitable for homogenizing both small and large sample volumes. Smaller probes are ideal for microvolumes, while larger probes allow for bulk sample homogenization in industrial applications.

These advantages make Hielscher sonication devices the preferred choice for applications requiring thorough and efficient homogenization, such as preparing emulsions, breaking down cell suspensions, or creating stable dispersions.
 

High Performance Ultrasonicators

Are you dealing with challenging samples, high-throughput processes, sterile homogenization, large sample numbers or sensitive materials? Hielscher Ultrasonics has the right sonication device for your application!

Tell us about your sample preparation task and the challenges you are facing! We gladly recommend you the most suitable sonicator for successful research experiments, analytical tasks or life science applications.

The table below gives you an indication of the approximate processing capacity of our lab-size ultrasonicators:

Design, Manufacturing and Consulting – Quality Made in Germany

Hielscher ultrasonicators are well-known for their highest quality and design standards. Robustness and easy operation allow the smooth integration of our ultrasonicators into industrial facilities. Rough conditions and demanding environments are easily handled by Hielscher ultrasonicators.

Hielscher Ultrasonics is an ISO certified company and put special emphasis on high-performance ultrasonicators featuring state-of-the-art technology and user-friendliness. Of course, Hielscher ultrasonicators are CE compliant and meet the requirements of UL, CSA and RoHs.

Hielscher Ultrasonics supplies powerful non-contact sonicators for sample preparation and clinical analysis. The Multi-well plate, sonicator UIP400MTP, the VialTweeter, the CupHorn and the GDmini2 flow sonicator process the samples without touching them.