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NT8 User's Guide | Chapter 4: Overview
LCP Dispensing
The NT8’s LCP option can accurately and quickly dispense drops as low as 30 nL. Its fully-
automated calibration system ensures that the syringe tip is centered to within 50 µm of the
target drop location, and it can dispense LCP and well solution drops to a 96-drop LCP plate in
about 7 minutes.
Active Humidification
The NT8 prevents sample evaporation with three powerful, fully-enclosed humidifiers that
actively control humidity from ambient to 95%. You can set humidity on/off manually or “set it
and forget it” and let the NT8 do the work.
The NT8 can increase humidity from 60% to 85% in under 20 seconds. The humidifiers are
positioned away from active samples so your drops are protected from condensation and
buildup.
User-Friendly Software
The NT8 software is designed to be user-friendly. See
Software Overview
for further details.
The NT8 can be configured for LCP dispenses and for plate copying.
LCP
The lipid cubic phase (LCP) option includes a dispensing attachment that can dispense LCP
drops as small as 25-200 nL. The dispenser uses an 8 mm barrel syringe, which a sensor
monitors for proper positioning before dispensing begins.
The LCP model dispenses a complete 96-drop LCP plate in fewer than 6 minutes for both the
lipid drop setting well solution drop setting.
LCP models include a lipid mixer and an automatic LCP calibration system. The lipid mixer
attaches to the NT8’s deck, and is controlled by the software to ensure the right number of
mixing cycles are applied to the syringe. The automatic calibration system ensures the syringe
tip is centered to within 50 µm.
Plate Copy
The plate copy option includes a specialized head that includes a mount for HV tips. The plate
copy head can aspirate and dispense up to 200 µL of reagent from a deep well block to a
crystallization plate. The plate copy head consists of eight positive displacement syringes
capable of dispensing viscous reagents.
The NT8 deck can accommodate one rack of standard 200 µL pipette tips and can
automatically load and eject tips. While most tips are washable, plate copy tips are not and
must be disposed of after use.
Options