Cup-Horn Ultrasonic Homogenizer

What is the Cup-Horn Ultrasonic Homogenizer?

A cup-horn ultrasonic homogenizer transmits ultrasonic energy through a water-filled cup to sealed tubes or vials, with no probe contact. It is the right choice for sterile, hazardous or multiple-sample treatment without aerosol or cross-contamination.

Overview

The cup horn is a flat, large-diameter horn that forms the bottom of a water-filled cup, and sample tubes are placed in the cooled water. Ultrasonic energy passes through the tube wall into the sample, which is sealed throughout, so aerosol formation and cross-contamination are avoided. A circulating chiller keeps the water at 4 to 10 degrees C. Power is 100 to 1,000 W at 20 kHz, and the cup holds up to 4 to 10 tubes of 1.5 to 50 mL or a plate. Because energy is delivered indirectly, intensity is lower than with a direct probe, so treatment times are longer, from several minutes to tens of minutes. The design suits delicate cells, pathogenic samples, DNA shearing and emulsification where the sample must stay sealed. Horns are lighter on wear because nothing erodes into the sample.

How does it work?

An ultrasonic generator converts mains power into a high-frequency electrical signal, typically 20 kHz, which drives a piezoelectric transducer. The transducer expands and contracts to produce longitudinal vibration, and a booster and a horn or probe amplify this motion to amplitudes of 20 to 200 micrometers at the tip. When the tip vibrates in liquid, alternating pressure waves form microscopic vacuum bubbles that grow and collapse violently, a process called cavitation. The collapse creates localized high temperature, pressure and shear jets, which rupture cells, break agglomerates and form emulsions. Key components are the generator, transducer, booster, probe or tip, and optional temperature sensor and sound enclosure. Amplitude, pulse mode, treatment time and probe diameter determine the energy delivered per volume. Cooling is essential because the process heats samples.

What are the key features?

• Indirect treatment keeps samples sealed, avoiding aerosols
• Several tubes or a plate can be sonicated at once
• Circulating chilled water keeps temperature at 4–10 °C
• Power of 100–1,000 W at 20 kHz through large-diameter horn
• No probe erosion or metal contamination of the sample
• Suited to pathogenic or sterile workflows

What are the technical specifications?

A typical cup-horn ultrasonic homogenizer configuration offers frequency of 20 kHz, output power of 100–1,000 W, cup diameter of 60–100 mm, tube capacity of 4–10 tubes of 1.5–50 mL, water temperature of 4–10 °C with chiller and horn material of Titanium alloy. 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 Cup-Horn Ultrasonic Homogenizer is used in pathogenic sample treatment, DNA and chromatin shearing, sterile cell lysis, emulsification in sealed tubes and multi-sample processing. Across the wider Ultrasonic Homogenizers class, laboratories also deploy it for cell lysis and protein extraction, nanoparticle and graphene dispersion and nanoemulsion and liposome preparation.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include IEC 61010-1, IEC 61010-2-051, IEC 62127-1, ISO 13320 and GB 4793.1. Certification candidates for this model are CE, RoHS 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.

Always protect hearing, because ultrasonic units produce audible noise and subharmonics; use a sound enclosure or ear protection. Immerse the probe to the recommended depth and keep it centered without touching the vessel wall. Cool samples in an ice bath and use pulsed operation to limit heat, especially for proteins and RNA. Never run the probe in air, because this can damage the transducer. Inspect the tip for pitting and replace it when erosion is visible, since tip wear changes delivered power. Calibrate power output periodically with calorimetry. Clean with water or alcohol after each sample. Comply with IEC 61010-1 and local noise regulations, and use biosafety precautions because sonication can generate aerosols.

How do I select the right Cup-Horn Ultrasonic Homogenizer?

Choose a cup horn when samples must stay sealed, several tubes need treatment together, or contamination must be avoided. A direct probe is more efficient for lysis of hard cells. In the RFQ, specify cup size, tube type, chiller capacity and noise requirements.

How does it compare with other Ultrasonic Homogenizers variants?

Select an ultrasonic homogenizer by power, frequency, sample volume and format. Probe-type units deliver the highest energy density and are used for cell lysis and nanoparticle dispersion, with power from 100 to 1,200 W. Microtip probes handle volumes from 0.2 to 10 mL. Cup-horn systems treat sealed tubes indirectly and avoid aerosol and cross-contamination. Flow-through cells support continuous processing from milliliters to liters per minute. Enclosures reduce noise, which can reach 90 dB(A) or more without protection. Verify that the probe material, usually titanium alloy, is compatible with the sample, and check the availability of replacement tips. Consider pulse control, temperature sensing, amplitude stability and data logging. Ask for treatment time and energy per volume to allow method reproducibility across instruments.