qCell T features

qCell T features

Frequency, dissipation & overtones

Our qCell T series devices are capable of measuring resonance frequency and dissipation over a span of 5-50 MHz. They are compatible with both 5 MHz and 10 MHz sensors, granting access to a total of 8 harmonics (overtones) corresponding to 5, 15, 25, 35, 45 and 10, 30, 50 MHz, respectively.

Patented Chip Design

Our patented sensor chip design provides the most user-friendly quartz sensor handling experience on the QCM-D market. The quartz crystal is attached to an asymmetric polymer foil that ensures correct positioning/alignment in the flow cell. Handling the chip by the foil minimizes the risk of damaging or contaminating the quartz sensor. Furthermore, each sensor-chip is labelled with a sensor specific ID-number, which makes all sensors instantly recognizable from one another.                

Sensor Adapters

The user-friendly sensor-handling concept is continued in the elegant sensor positioning adapter system that fits different types of quartz sensors into the flow cell. This provides many options to suit the needs of different applications. While 3T analytik’s patented quartz-chip is optimally suitable for water-based solutions, loose quartz sensors may be the better option for applications involving harsh cleaning procedures and coating procedures performed ex-situ.                                                    

Wide Range of Overtones

Our qCell T is compatible with 5 MHz and 10 MHz sensors. This enables acquisition at 8 different harmonics (overtones) in the 5-50 MHz range. It is possible to probe the sample at different mass sensitivities and probing depths. When used simultaneously in our two-channel qCell T system, the sample can be probed with a finer incremental resonance range than with 5 MHz or 10 MHz sensor alone.                                                                                                                                                                     

Practical Flow Cell

We designed the qCell T flow cells for optimum performance and at the same time practicality. Insertion or removal of sensors is quick and easy. Only a quarter turn in bayonet style is needed to insert and remove sensor chips or quartz crystals within seconds.

Flow Cell Window

Since bubble formation on the sensor surface is detrimental to QCM-D measurements, we inserted a window to enable observing the sensor surface throughout experiments to verify that the surface is free from bubbles.

Chemical Compatibility

The fluidic pathways are made from non-activating polymer surfaces which gives the flow cell outstanding performance with whole blood samples. qCell T is the only QCM instrument that has been used to investigate medical and scientific problems in the field of whole blood analysis. For experiments with harsh fluids, the resistant flow cell replaces the COC window with the PTFE polymer.

Sophisticated eChem Functionality

The qCell T eChem configuration allows QCM-D sensing of electrochemical reactions. We designed the eChem flow cell and its electrodes to establish uniform distribution of electric fields over the sensor surface, facilitating homogenous layer depositions. Implementation of potentiostat control into the software script function allows automated execution of combined QCM-D and electrochemistry experiments. This integration starts from TTL communication to trigger potentiostat procedures to fully implemented time synchronized import and overlaying of electrochemistry data with the QCM-D data.

Fully automated Measurements

Our auto-sampling unit LiquiBox Compact provides sample selection of up to 8 samples per sensor and sample incubation within 4-65°C. The software-embedded script control of sample selection, flow rates, dynamic temperature, stability control, repetitive cycles and more, enables autonomous execution of user-defined SOPs. With a fully automated QCM-D system, the user saves time and effort to produce high quality data with excellent reproducibility.                                             

Powerful Software

The qGraph software records frequency and dissipation, flow rates, temperature and generates a digital log file that documents all actions with a time stamp. Post processing includes functions for aligning and synchronizing data, modules for calculating layer mass, layer thickness, particle size and adsorption kinetics and supports data export to Excel™, Origin™ and other third party software. Importantly, raw data can never be altered which guarantees data integrity!                                              

Robust Data Management

All data and its corresponding log files as well as any information associated to it (sensor ID, author, date, user-defined entries etc.) are readily at your fingertips. They are conveniently searchable and accessible through database function where it is organized and sorted by a variety of categories. Organizing your data has never been easier.

Precise & Dynamic Temp. Control

The flow cell and sample holder are mounted on a precise Peltier temperature control block. It maintains a temperature stability of 0.02°C virtually eliminating any temperature related frequency drifts, which is crucial for measuring slow surface reactions. A dynamic temperature control range of 4-65°C provides efficient means to study temperature induced phase transition events in real time.