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Incubators & Environmental Test Chambers
Overview Video Photo Gallery Gravity vs. Mechanical Convection 
- Thermo Scientific Microbiological Incubators
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Gravity vs. Mechanical Convection Incubators
Incubators have traditionally been a mainstay for biological and life science laboratories, whether to grow or sustain biological cultures, reproduce germ colonies or breed/grow insects. The most basic incubators allow researchers to recreate precise temperature conditions for optimal growth, development and/or maintenance of finicky cells. Temperature homogeneity is also critical, as fluctuations in the living environment can be deadly.
As the fields of biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals have expanded, the demand for higher-precision incubators has increased. In addition, regulatory requirements regarding good-laboratory and -manufacturing practices (GLP and GMP) have been refined and intensified. Among other things, this has resulted in increased sophistication for cell culture control and monitoring. Additional instrument features bring additional cost, leaving many lab managers wondering if all the bells and whistles are really necessary for their applications
Gravity Convection
Heated air (less dense compared to cooler air) is introduced into the bottom of the incubator and gravity, causes the warmer air to rise and be distributed throughout the incubator. This airflow eliminates the need for a fan because gravity provides the force needed to distribute the air. Since less air is being displaced in the process of heating the instrument, samples are heated gently. This prevents them from drying out during incubations. Gravity convection technology is ideal for incubation of bacterial and eukaryotic cell cultures, but is limited by the degree to which air can be heated and the time it takes for an incubator to recover after the door is opened.
Mechanical Convection
Mechanical convection utilizes a fan to force heated air throughout the incubator, resulting in uniform temperature distribution throughout the unit. This method provides optimal temperature uniformity and stability due to the rapid distribution of air, which is ideal for bacterial cultures. In addition, mechanical convection can quickly warm samples that have been transferred directly from the refrigerator to the incubator. Since the movement of warm air over samples can lead to the evaporation of growth media, many laboratories utilize mechanical convection incubators to dry samples.
Dual Convection Technology
Dual Convection Technology combines the function of gravity convection and mechanical convection systems to create a high-performing, efficient and widely adaptable incubation platform. This adjustable fan speed allows users to specify operating parameters to optimize their individual experiments. When the fan is switched off, the evaporation occurring in the incubator is at its lowest. When the fan is set to 100%, the temperature stability and uniformity are optimized. Depending on the application, the speed can be adapted to provide optimal air flow for your valuable samples.
- Incubators by Thermo Fisher, She Lab and Benchmark Scientific. Select from CO2, refrigerated, B.O.D., drosophila and microbiological models.
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- Environmental Test Chambers by Thermo Fisher Scientific and Binder
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- Shelves, stands, rolling bases and stacking kits for Thermo Fisher, Sheldon and Benchmark incubators
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Features and Benefits
Latching Inner Glass Door
Incubators and Environmental Test Chambers feature a latching inner glass door on select models for added security and prevention of accidental heat loss.
Stainless Steel Interior and Glass Door
BINDER Humidity Test Chambers are built with a corrosion-resistant stainless steel inner chamber and a tight-sealing inner door made of ESG safety glass
Included Shelves
Shel Lab, Thermo Fisher, BINDER and Benchmark Scientific incubators and environmental test chambers include stainless steel shelves; additional shelves sold separately
Incubators & Environmental Test Chambers
Thermo Fisher Scientific Precision High-Performance Incubators- Benchmark Scientific SureTemp Precision Digital Incubators
- Heratherm Microbiological Incubators by Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Large Capacity Microbiological Incubators
- Plant Growth Chambers by Thermo Fisher Scientific
- BINDER Humidity Test and Growth Chambers
Precision High-Performance Incubators from Thermo Fisher are designed for large scale culturing of bacteria (hot plates and beakers not included) Thermo Fisher Scientific Precision High-Performance Incubators Precision High-Performance Incubators are designed for maximum usability and sample protection. Ideal for labs culturing bacteria on a large scale, units provide a high degree of temperature uniformity, stability and accuracy.
Economical SureTemp Digital Incubators in 40, 70 and 130 liter capacities in mechanical and gravity convection modes include two adjustable SS shelves | 2823-PP-08 displayed Benchmark Scientific SureTemp Precision Digital Incubators Models feature a stainless steel chamber, SureCheck software for data viewing in .txt files, fast ramping times and independent heating elements
General, Advanced and Security Protocol Microbiological Incubators by Thermo Fisher Scientific in gravity, mechanical and dual convection models Heratherm Microbiological Incubators by Thermo Fisher Scientific Microbiological incubators by Thermo Fisher Scientific available from 14.3L to 194L capacities; models include removable shelves
Heratherm Large Capacity Microbiological Incubators heat up to 105°C. Capacities from 13.4 to 24.8 cubic feet. | 5324-PP-01 displayed Large Capacity Microbiological Incubators Heratherm Microbiological Incubators also available in General Protocol, Advanced Protocol and Advanced Protocol Security models
Precision Plant Growth Chamber for plant growth and seed germination features programmable temperature and cycle times; 17.8 cu. ft. capacity | 5321-66 displayed Plant Growth Chambers by Thermo Fisher Scientific Plant Growth Chambers control heating, lighting, and humidity; programmable cycling over 7 days replicates ideal growth conditions.
Humidity Test and Growth Chambers by BINDER provide excellent climate conditions for growing plants and organisms; stainless steel interior on select models | 1410-PP-04 displayed BINDER Humidity Test and Growth Chambers KBF 115 Humidity Test Chambers (shown) from 3.6 to 36.0 cu. ft. capacities provide uniform temperature and humidity conditions; models include two SS shelves and 4 casters
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