BLM Cells Teflon
Partitions Cell
Holders
BLM Cells.
Please visit http://www.eastsci.com//New/NewProducts.html
to see the latest addition to our BLM cells family.
BC-20A
and
BC-30A,D
BLM chambers (shown above) are milled from white Teflon. These BLM cells
can be used for both Mueller or Montall/Mueller type membranes. Each
cell consist of two similar Teflon blocks, each one with two D=1.5 mm channels
for perfusion, drilled at 45 degree. Blocks are connected together
with two nylon screws (replacement part NM4-20)
and designed to hold 0.025-0.1 mm Teflon partition
in between. 8 mm diameter opening in the middle of partition supporting
wall allow easy access to the hole used for BLM formation. Sides of are
covered with optical grade glass and sealed with silicon rubber.
Fit our standard cell holders. Larger
size of BC-30A,
and
9 mm diameter wells for stirring bars, allow simultaneous stirring of both
compartments. You may find this cell more convenient for most projects
that do not require high quality imaging of membrane. BC-20B
cell is similar but has asymmetric cis/trans compartments. Large
compartment (same as in BC-30A) allows easy stirring and access to BLM.
Small one, with short distance between BLM and glass wall, permits use
of more powerful microscope objectives and also reduces dilution of studied
material several fold. BC-30D BLM
cell is a three compartment cell. With this cell it is possible to
run two experiments in parallel, compare parameters literally side by side
or just accumulate statistics almost twice as fast as with regular BLM
cell.
BCH-1
cells is designed
for formation of horizontal BLMs. It can be used for experiments
on live cell/BLM interaction or when high resolution images of BLM are
needed. Cell consists of the upper cup, machined from Delrin (D)
or Teflon (T)* and the lower plastic mini-dish with a glass bottom. Replacement
dish part #MD-1 or
MD-1C. Both dishes have
plastic body resistant to most chemicals (but not to some organic solvents like
acetone or chlorophorm) and optical glass window. MD-1C
has smaller (D8 mm) glass window that is less prone for breaking
than 25 mm diameter glass in an older MD-1.
and the full circle support edge
that provide better stability when assembled cell is installed into a holder.). Horizontal BLM is formed
over a hole in thin Teflon film attached to the bottom flat surface of
the cup (TP-XX or other partitions can be
used). The distance between BLM and microscope objective is about
1 mm, allowing use of powerful objective lenses. Horizontal cell
can be installed on a specimen table of almost any inverted microscope. If
stable elevated temperature is required, we recommend BCH-1
cell with optional MD-2
mini dish. This dish is similar to MD-1 but
has a transparent conductive layer for DC current heating. In combination
with an electronic controller it will provide excellent temperature regulation.
Part # BCH-1D / BCH-1T
BCH-2
chamber is designed for high resolution imaging of horizontal BLMs. It
consists of a Teflon cup with outer thread and black Delrin body with matching
inner thread. Bottom of the body is made from #1.5 cover slip. It
has two 3 mm holes for attaching to microscope specimen table and two 6 mm diameter wells
for electrode placement and perfusion; fluid in these wells is connected to
fluid at trans side BLM via channels milled in Delrin. BLM
is formed with cup screwed into the body about 0.5-1 mm from the bottom.
After that cup can be smoothly moved down under visual control of
membrane. Pipette transfer of some fluid from wells in the body into
the cup will keep hydrostatic pressure at balance.
When membrane is placed within 0.05-0.1 mm from glass bottom, a high NA oil
objective can be used for imaging.
BCH-2P
version is similar but both the cup and the body are 3D
printed from ABS polymer.
|
Part #
|
Dimensions (mm)
|
Volume** (ml)
|
Glass to BLM distance (mm)
|
|
BC-20A
|
20x20x50
|
2/2
|
10/10
|
|
BC-20B
|
20x20x50
|
3/0.5
|
15/5
|
|
BC-30A
|
30x20x50
|
3/3
|
15/15
|
|
BC-30D
|
30x20x50
|
3/1
|
15/15
|
|
BCH-1D/T
|
h-10, d-35
|
2.5/0.3
|
~1
|
|
BCH-2/2P
|
Body -D-38, h-8; / Cup -
OD-15, ID-13, h - 10
|
0.5 /0.6
|
0.1-3
|
Teflon partitions are not included. TP-XX
partitions
can be used with any of these cells. If you need fully assembled
and tested cell with installed partition please add "M01" or "M02" at the
end of BLM cell part number (example: BC-20AM01 = BC-20A with TP-01 partition
mounted). This will add $35.00 to the price of bare cell.
* Both material are perfect electrical insulators but
have different chemical resistance. Teflon allows cleaning with any
organic solvents or acids; Delrin is also resistant to most commonly used
cleaners but may deteriorate after prolonged exposure to certain
chemicals.
** Working volume, correspond to approximately
2/3 cell maximum filling.
Classic
BLM Chamber
Sometimes called "classic" this type of BLM cell is similar
to used originally for making first planar membranes. Our "classic"
chamber (Part # BCM-1)consist
of the body with round glass window, and the cup that is inserted into
the body to form cell with two compartments as required for membrane formation.
Both parts are made from pure Teflon. While Teflon parts are more
difficult to manufacture than Delrin or other plastics, this chamber have
superior parameters for BLM formation, and is easy to clean using any organic
solvent or aggressive (peroxide, hydroxide etc.) based washing solutions.
Cups (Part # BCM-1C) are supplied without
a hole. You can make required size hole using an appropriate drill
or specially prepared syringe needle (detailed instructions provided) or
we can made a hole of a specified size (0.3-1.5 mm) for an extra $25.00
Specifications:
Body
Dimensions - 20x30x36 mm
Window diameter - 14 mm
Cup to window distance - 13 mm
Volume outside cup - 2 ml
Cup
Height - 25 mm
Inside diameter - 14.5 mm
Outside diameter - 18 mm
Wall thickness at the hole region - 0.3-0.5 mm
Teflon
partitions.
A number of standard hole sizes in Teflon partitions are available.
Other sizes (0.01 - 1.5 mm), calibrated holes and arrays of holes are available
as special orders. Small holes in thin film (D ~ 0.01 - 0.2 mm) are preferable
for "solvent-free" Montal type membranes, and larger holes (TP-05,
TP-10)
are good for decane based Mueller membranes. Holes are made in the
middle of ~20 mm square Teflon film. For training purposes or for
experiments that are not critical to a hole size we offer inexpensive TP-0X
partitions. They are a mix of a different hole sizes that may have higher
than normal ellipsisity, or have holes significantly off the center of the
square (but not closer than 5 mm to the edge). Partitions with "D" index have
two holes 12 mm apart in a single piece of Teflon film ~ 16x26 mm.
These partitions are designed for our three compartment BLM chambers.
Image of a single hole shown here was captured with BVS-100 video system
equipped with 20X lens. Scale bar - 50 micrometers. Image on the
right show fragment of the array of holes at lower magnification.
|
PART NUMBER
|
Hole Diameter, mm
|
Film Thickness, mm
|
|
TF-12
|
0.008-0.016*
|
0.01-0.013
|
|
TF-30
|
0.025-0.035
|
0.01-0.013
|
|
TF-50
|
0.04-0.06
|
0.01-0.013
|
|
TP-005
|
0.04-0.06*
|
0.02
|
|
TP-01
|
0.08-0.12
|
0.02
|
|
TP-015
|
0.13-0.17
|
0.02
|
|
TP-02/TP-02D
|
0.18-0.24
|
0.02
|
|
TP-03
|
0.25-0.35
|
0.02
|
|
TP-0X
|
0.015-0.35
|
0.02
|
|
TP-05/TP-05D
|
0.4-0.6
|
0.12
|
|
TP-10/TP-10D
|
0.8-1.2
|
0.12
|
|
TPS-6
|
Set of 1 ea.: TP-005, TP-01, TP-15, TP-02,
TP-03, TP-05
|
* - For this size range deviations from the ideal circle are significant.
If this parameter is important please order few for testing before ordering
large quantities.
Cell
Holders
We offer a variety of holders for BC-20/30
and BCH-1A BLM
cells. Holders are made from plastic or magnetically transparent metals with one side
having bare metal for electrical connection with positioner. All holders have holes for M4
or 6-32 mounting screw. Budget type (CH-20,
CH-30) simply provide support for
the cell. RH12/12M stirrer
motors can be attached to the holder bottom using adhesive. CH-20A,
CH 30A holders are designed primarily for
experiments with temperature control, and have massive bottom panel milled
from 6 mm aluminum. This panel has a slot for screw mounting of RH12/12M
stirrer
motors, M2.5 threaded hole for attaching of HA-5M
heater,
and 5 mm side hole for AD592
temperature
sensor. CH-01
holder
for BCH-1A chamber
is 11x6 cm (4-1/4"x2-3/8") aluminum plate with 35 mm diameter hole in the
middle and two 4 mm holes for mounting of electrode holders. Black
finish top side and bare metal bottom side.
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11-04-22 BLMCell.html