Low-Volume Nanolitre Dispenser

What is the Low-Volume Nanolitre Dispenser?

A low-volume nanolitre dispenser delivers reagent volumes from a few nanolitres to a few microlitres. It saves expensive reagents and enables dense screening assays in small plate areas with accurate touchless dispensing.

Overview

The dispenser uses solenoid valves, piezoelectric elements or fine capillary tips to eject very small, accurately measured droplets, typically 1–1000 nL, onto plates or slides. Because such small volumes evaporate quickly, the deck is often enclosed and humidity controlled, and dispensing is fast to limit exposure. Precision within a few percent CV is achievable for aqueous and some solvent-based reagents, verified photometrically with fluorescent dyes, since gravimetric checks are impractical at nanolitre volumes. The touchless design avoids tip contact with the target, so cross-contamination is reduced and delicate surfaces are not disturbed. The system suits screening libraries, miniaturised assays, MALDI sample preparation and any application where reagent cost or sample scarcity drives the use of very small volumes.

How does it work?

A liquid handler moves precise volumes of liquid by drawing them into a tip or probe and delivering them to a target vessel. In air displacement systems, a piston in the pipette or the robot moves an air column that pushes and pulls the liquid, which stays in a disposable tip. In positive displacement systems, the piston contacts the liquid directly inside a syringe, so volatile, viscous or detergent-like liquids and solvents are handled accurately. Multichannel heads aspirate 8, 96 or 384 tips at once for plate work, and nanolitre dispensers use solenoid valves, piezoelectric elements or capillary tips for very small volumes. Accuracy and precision depend on tip fit, liquid properties, temperature, wetting and aspiration speed, and are verified gravimetrically or photometrically under ISO 8655. Software defines volumes, order, mixing and wash steps, and records every action.

What are the key features?

• Volumes 1–1000 nL per droplet
• Solenoid, piezoelectric or capillary jet
• Enclosed, humidity-controlled deck
• Touchless dispensing
• Precision within a few percent CV
• Photometric dye verification

What are the technical specifications?

A typical low-volume nanolitre dispenser configuration offers type of Low-volume nanolitre dispenser, droplet volume of 1–1000 nL, dispense technology of Solenoid, piezoelectric or capillary, precision of Within a few percent CV, deck environment of Enclosed, humidity controlled and contact of Touchless. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Low-Volume Nanolitre Dispenser is used in screening libraries, miniaturised assays, MALDI sample preparation and PCR and qPCR setup. Across the wider Robotic Liquid Handling class, laboratories also deploy it for plate-based assay setup, compound screening and PCR and qPCR setup.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include ISO 8655 (piston-operated volumetric apparatus), ANSI/SLAS microplate standards, IEC 61010-1 (safety requirements for electrical equipment), USP <1058> (analytical instrument qualification), 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic records and signatures) and ISO/IEC 17025 (testing and calibration laboratories). Certification candidates for this model are CE and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Verify accuracy and precision on installation and at intervals defined by your quality system, using gravimetric checks with water and photometric tests for dye solutions. Control temperature and humidity, since evaporation and viscosity change small volumes. Use the specified tips and fit them correctly, because a poor seal causes volume errors. Clean the deck, wash station and probes on schedule, and inspect for bent or blocked tips. For regulated work, restrict software access by role, retain audit trails and back up methods and data. Define carry-over limits and test them for trace work. Train operators to recognise partial dispenses, bubbles and clogs, and record all calibration, maintenance and method changes.

How do I select the right Low-Volume Nanolitre Dispenser?

Choose nanolitre dispensing when reagents are expensive or sample is scarce. Confirm the enclosed deck, humidity control and dye verification method. RFQ: volumes, reagents, plate types, evaporation constraints and throughput. State the reagent cost and minimum volume.

How does it compare with other Robotic Liquid Handling variants?

Match the technology to the liquid and the volume. Air displacement suits aqueous solutions where the tip is changed or washed between samples. Positive displacement suits volatile solvents, viscous liquids, detergents and long runs without tip changes, because the piston touches the liquid. Choose multichannel heads for plate-based work at 8–384 wells, and nanolitre dispensers when reagents are expensive or volumes below a microlitre are needed. Confirm accuracy and precision at the working volumes, and check compatibility with the plates, tips, tubes and reservoirs you use. Consider tip format, deck capacity, mixing and heating options, and software for method editing, audit trails and LIMS exchange. Verify carry-over performance if you run trace analysis, and confirm the service and calibration support available.