The BioHeater™

Accessory for Thermal Experiments up to 80°C

The BioHeater is temperature control accessory for the MFP-3D that allows controlled heating of samples from ambient to 80°C. The BioHeater in an immersion style heater designed for fluid AFM measurements and is ideal for biological applications such as living cells, enzyme activities, lipid films transitions and more. It requires the Environmental Controller.

The BioHeater stage consists of a closed fluid cell with an immersed heating element which symmetrically heats the surrounding fluid. The fluid cell is sealed on both the top and bottom and has ten fluid exchange ports for fluid, gas, and electrical access to the sample. A stainless steel temperature probe extends near the sample for closed loop control to within 0.1°C precision, 0.2°C accuracy, and 0.1°C overshoot.

Materials in contact with the liquid are glass, PEEK™ polymer, silicone rubber, Viton™ (O-rings, very minimal surface area), stainless steel (T probe, cantilever clip), Kel-F (cantilever holder), and FEP Teflon® (heating element coating). The heater cell can be completely disassembled for cleaning. The assembled fluid cell can be autoclaved or sonicated with the exception of the thermal sensor and cable.
The BioHeater easily mounts on the MFP-3D scanning stage and is compatible with all MFP-3D base models. It can be used in both top view and bottom view modes. It supports samples up to 2mm thick and 25mm in diameter.

The heating and sensing elements can be removed and the sample cell can be used at ambient conditions. Please see the information on the Closed Fluid Cell for further operational details.

Environmental Controller
The Environmental Controller is a state-of-the-art digital controller and is used with the BioHeater. The built in microprocessor in the Environmental Controller maintains closed loop performance independent of the AFM controller or PC processor load. All control and measurement functions are fully programmable through the IGOR software interface, including built-in capability for temperature ramps. More complex temperature profiles can also be programmed. Due to full integration, temperature information is stored with each AFM image. Temperature, setpoint, and heater power history are stored in the AFM data file. The Environmental Controller easily plugs into the MFP-3D main AFM controller for plug and play operation, without the need for special parameter files.

Additional specifications can be found in the Environmental Controls Data Sheet.

BioHeater Heating Stage

Environmental Controller