Stopped-Flow Instrument
SF-300x

Servo-motor drive

The SF-300X Stopped-Flow has a powerful, computer-controlled servo motor drive that provides precise and reproducible mixing. Double mixing experiments can be performed easily while consuming minimal volumes of precious samples and affording a minimal first reaction time of only 5 ms. The motor is digitally controlled with a high torque, low inertia, brushless motor and high performance, digital power supply to provide essentially instantaneous starts and stops of the drive syringes.

A significant advance over older stepper motor technology, the servomotor affords repeated or sequential mixing to be performed with precision and ease, completely under software control. Unlike air-drive instruments, the dead time does not depend on the temperature of the solution or age of the syringes.

For ease of use and to help in the expulsion of air bubbles, the SF-300X stopped-flow uses a solid vertical drive mount. This arrangement places the sample syringes in a position where they are easy to load and to observe through the transparent water jacket during the course of an experiment. Various sample chambers can be easily interchanged or removed for cleaning and maintenance.

Fluorescence - absorbance measurements

The SF-300X stopped-flow instrument uses interchangeable observation cells. A choice of four observation cells is available, and each can record either absorbance or fluorescence or both simultaneously. An optional CCD array detector allows spectra to be recorded every millisecond for truly outstanding performance.

Sub-millisecond dead-time

The new SF-300X stopped-flow is capable of producing a dead time of 0.85 milliseconds. With its precision, high torque servo motor drive, the performance of the SF-300X is repeatable and reliable year after year. We use our proprietary microjet mixers to achieve efficient mixing and test reactions have proven that mixing is completed before the sample enters the observation cell.

The SF-300X also has excellent performance reliability due to the precision manufacturing of all parts and with proper care will give decades of service.

Simple sample-load volume

 A unique two-position valve is used to allow easy and efficient sample loading. In one position, the three syringes are connected to their individual sample load ports. In the other position, the three syringes can be driven to force the mixing of reactants into the observation cell. Optical sensors read the position of the sample load valve and tell the computer whether the valve is in the proper position for loading or firing. The computer will not fire a shot if the valve is in the wrong position. This safety feature further conserves precious samples.

Sample economy

Designed to conserve precious samples, the KinTek SF-300X requires only 20 microliters of each reactant per shot. Moreover, by minimizing the volume of the sample lines connecting the loading ports to the sample syringes, the instrument requires a small load volume. Typically, only 50 microliters of reactant are wasted in loading each syringe.

Three syringe double mixing experiments

The KinTek SF-300X Stopped-Flow comes with three drive syringes. In the normal mode of operation, only two syringes are connected and used to drive the mixing of two reactants. Alternatively, to perform a double mixing experiment, the third syringe can be connected to the drive path by simply rotating a valve. In a double mixing experiment, two reactants are mixed and then flow into a delay line, the motor then stops for the desired reaction time and then on the next push the solution is mixed with the third reactant and forced into the observation cell. The reaction time is under precise computer control, allowing reactant times as short as 5 milliseconds and up to many minutes. Double mixing experiments allow new experiments to explore reaction mechanisms that cannot be accomplished with other commercially available instruments.

T-format fluorescence anisotropy

The SF-300X can be efficiently and economically equipped to perform fluorescence anisotropy measurements. A second optional PMT is added to the instrument along with an easy to use filter set, and the instrument becomes an optimal anisotropy instrument. 

System software

KinTek SF-300X is noted for the ease of use and reliability of its software. Running under Microsoft Windows™, the SF-300X operating system utilizes menus to access all of the computer-controlled instrument setup, data collection, analysis and plotting. Data and computer-generated fits are displayed on the display and can be printed on any printer supported by Microsoft Windows™. The SF-300X system software allows data to be easily exported to other programs in ASCII spreadsheet format — at the click of a mouse! Moreover, the data can be exported to the popular KinTek Explorer™ software for rigorous data fitting directly to the model, not to equations!

Computer control

The KinTek SF-300X is entirely under computer control, making the operation of the instrument easy and convenient to use. The computer controls the instrument's drive system, the detector gain and checks to see that the sample load valve is in the right position. It is also programmed to assist in a simple calibration of the instrument. The instrument and software have been integrated into a system that is easy and convenient to use, leaving the operator free to concentrate on the data collection and analysis.

Data collection and analysis

KinTek Corporation is constantly upgrading the control computer and A/D converter to afford rapid data collection and analysis. Data fitting is accomplished within the data collection software by nonlinear regression. Data can be fit to one, two or three exponentials or a burst equation. Data can also be fit by computer simulation to the reaction mechanism by global fitting methods using KinTek Global Kinetic Explorer™. Data can also be easily exported for import into the data fitting and graphics presentation program of your choice.

Computer specification

• Dell Precision 5820 Tower with Intel core i-9-10900X 3.7GHz processor

• 8 GB RAM

• 4 GB NVIDIA T400 Graphics

• 500 GB Hard Drive

• Windows 11 Professional OS

• 16X DVD +/-RW Drive

• Dell Ultrasharp 22" widescreen LCD monitor

Keep in mind that KinTek Corporation is constantly upgrading the computer that controls the stopped-flow instrument. The instrument is shipped with the latest model computer available.

Light source Options

Optimal signal-to-noise is provided through several unique advances. A high intensity, stable arc lamp source illuminates the sample using a parabolic mirror and lens-free optics to provide optimal throughput to a monochromator. The optical path is free of lenses, which would limit light throughput. The electronic circuits have been designed to provide the most noise-free amplification possible. An optional programmable shutter may be added to prevent photo-bleaching on experiments with long collection times. Alternately KinTek now offers the option of using LEDs which can provide a significant cost savings. While not as flexible as our arc lamp source LEDs do offer reduced cost and various wavelength options.

Instrument specifications

Wavelength range: 220 - 800 nm.
Wavelength accuracy: 1 nm. 
Stray light: less than 0.02% 
Spectral bandwidth: : Variable slit widths providing a bandwidth of 4 nm/mm of slit width.
Temperature range: 10 - 70° C range of temperature is maintained by circulating water bath (not provided).
Dead time: Less than 1 millisecond.
Syringe volume & range: 2.5 ml standard, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 also available.
Computer operating system: Windows 11 Pro
A/D Converter: 1.25 MHz, 16-bit, 6 channels

Physical dimensions

Accessories

CCD Array for Multi-Wavelength Stopped-Flow Experiments

The KinTek CCD array is perfect for chemical, biochemical and other applications where fast reactions need to be monitored by changes in absorbance. Capable of recording 2048 wavelength spectra every millisecond, our CCD array spectrometer offers the highest resolution and speed available for Stopped-Flow Absorbance measurements. The CCD Array interfaces with the KinTek Stopped-Flow through optical fibers, one to bring white light into the observation cell and another to connect to the spectrometer. Software for data collection. Analysis of time-resolved spectra by singular value decomposition is accomplished using KinTek Explorer software, allowing multiple experiments to be fit directly to a model simultaneously. 

TMX-1000 Titration Module for the KinTek SF-300X Stopped-Flow

Equilibrium titration data are often as important as kinetic data in working to establish a reaction mechanism and can help to decipher stopped-flow signals. The KinTek TMX Titration Module fills the need for an advanced, automated system to titrate reactions at equilibrium. Taking advantage of the smooth drive of the SF-300X servo motor, the TMX unit allows the slow addition of titrant from a 10, 25 or 50 µL syringe into a 200 µL sample that is constantly being stirred. Simultaneously, the system records absorbance or fluorescence (or both, up to 3 channels), to provide a complete titration curve with 1000 points, in less than a minute. The volume of an addition of titrant and time of data collection are fully programmable to cover a range of concentrations and times required for the reaction to come to equilibrium. Equilibrium Titration data can be fitted to a user-defined model without the need to derived equations using KinTek Explorer software. 

The TMX allows the full functionality of the SF-300X data collection including up to 3 channels of simultaneous data recording. For example, two channels of fluorescence can be recorded to compute fluorescence anisotropy as a function of titrant concentration. The system is simple and easy to use, in keeping with the philosophy that drives KinTek Corporation; namely, to build instruments that encourage researchers to do the right experiments with ease, while providing the highest quality data and rigorous quantification. The TMX comes complete with thermostatted cell holder, a 5 × 5 mm cuvette, miniature stir bar and stirring motor drive system. Simply attach it to your SF-300X Stopped-Flow motor drive and begin collecting data! Note: this system will not work with pneumatic stopped-flow systems, as it requires a precision motor drive.

• Fluorescence Anisotropy Accessory - Consists of a set of polarizers to measure anisotropy in real time.