Formulatrix NT8 Automated Nanoliter-Scale Liquid Handling System with 8-Channel Dispense Heads

The Formulatrix NT8 Automated Nanoliter-scale Liquid Handling System is a precision liquid dispensing instrument designed for biotechnology and molecular diagnostics workflows requiring high accuracy at nanoliter volumes. This automated system integrates an 8-channel low-volume (LV) dispense head capable of dispensing volumes from approximately 50 nL to 1.8 µL using low dead-volume liquid displacement pipetting technology with flexible finger Z-compliance to ensure accurate drop placement. Complementing this is an integrated high-volume (HV) dispense head that accommodates disposable 200 µL tips for sample transfers up to 200 µL per channel, enabling deep-well plate aspiration and daughter plate creation.

Key technical features include:

• Dual dispense heads installed simultaneously (LV and HV) with independent contact and liquid level sensors for precise detection and handling.
• Motorized XYZ positioning system, facilitating automated 3D movement for reproducible dispensing across various SBS-format microplates and protein source blocks.
• Active enclosed humidification system maintaining up to ~95% relative humidity, crucial for minimizing sample evaporation during nanoliter assay setups and protein crystallization drop setting.
• Compatibility with diverse consumables and microplates, supporting nanoscale assay workflows, plate copying, and bioprocess automation tasks in synthetic biology and molecular cloning pipelines.

The NT8 supports applications including protein crystallization drop setting, precise reagent dispensing, plate copying, and daughter plate creation, making it widely adopted in structural biology, biopharmaceutical production pipelines, and cell-based assay development. Its configurable tip attachments and automated operations significantly enhance throughput and reproducibility in demanding molecular biology and biotechnology laboratories.

This instrument is especially suited for researchers focusing on bioprocessing, molecular diagnostics, and synthetic biology, providing essential capabilities for nanoscale liquid handling with integrated humidity control to preserve sample integrity. The unit is typically supplied with a wash jug featuring fluid level sensors, waste jug, and standard power accessories, and is compatible with Formulatrix proprietary low- and high-volume tips to ensure optimal performance.

*Note:* The device is sold as-is without warranty, and software configuration requires manufacturer calibration to activate full functionality. Ideal for labs seeking a cost-effective, pre-owned automated nanoliter liquid handling system supporting advanced biotechnological research and molecular assay setups.