Precision High-Performance Incubators by Thermo Fisher Scientific

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 samples from being dried 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 is capable of quickly warming 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.