KSV Minitrough

Excellence in Surface ChemistryKSV MinitroughThe Ultimate Langmuir/Langmuir-Blodgett System

KSV MinitroughCost efficiencywithoutcompromiseKSV Minitrough is a real power pack in miniaturesize. Its experimental capabilities and performanceexceeds that of many full size LB-apparatuses.Full computer control and Windows TM 2000 andXP compatible software combined to straightforwardprecision engineered hardware makesthe Minitrough a pleasure to work with.ModularMinitroughMinitrough's modular design meets a wide varietyof requirements and allows for maximumflexibility in configuring the instrument. TheMinitrough expands from a Langmuir-film balanceto an LB-film deposition device. It fits into severalmonolayer characterization equipment such asoptical microscopes, Brewster Angle microscope,ellipsometers, just to name a few. Surface potentialmeasurement, pH and subphase temperaturecontrol, stirring and many other additionalfeatures make the Minitrough the most versatilesmall scale Langmuir trough available today.Why mini-size• cost effective – high performance• portability – easy set up and use• small subphase volume• easy tailoring to specific applications• ideal as a reserve trough system• simple and sturdy construction – educationaluse• microscopy, Brewster Angle, Ellipsometryetc. mountable• environmental and biological applicationswww.ksvltd.com

Three Basic VersionsMinitrough 1A basic Langmuir-film balance designed forconventional monolayer analysis. Suitable forbiological applications when small amounts ofmaterial or small subphase volumes are beingrequired.• Biomembranes and lipid monolayers• lung surfactant studies• binding of drugs• enzyme kinetics• penetration of molecules into monolayers• measurements of changes in surface tensionby rod methodMinitrough 2Sophisticated Langmuir-Blodgett instrument forunsupervised deposition of multiple monolayerson solid substrates. DC motor driven steplessdeposition device and symmetric compressionof the monolayer ensure the highest uniformityof molecular orientation during deposition.• wide selection of substrate holders• automatic PC controlled operation• leak proof barriers• digital displays for measuring parameters• manual control key pad for operationwithout a PC• portableMinitrough 3Microscopic analysis of monolayers are convenientlyperformed with the Minitrough 3. AMinitrough 1Minitrough 2quartz window in the bottom of the trough andeasily customized mechanics allow the troughto be fitted in most of the available Microscopes.• optical microscopy -air-water, oil-waterinterfaces• Brewster-angle microscopy• ellipsometry• laser beam and spectroscopic applications• X-ray reflectivity studiesExchangeable TroughsThe troughs are made of a cast-molded solidpiece of PTFE because it is inert and highly hydrophobic.Cleaning is made easy by roundingall inside corners of the trough. Three standardtroughs are available; isotherm trough, dippingtrough and microscopy trough. Troughs forbiological and custom applications are made tospecifications.Troughs are easilyand fast changedby hand only.Minitrough 3

Symmetric CompressionSymmetric compression of a monolayer by twoinwardly moving barriers offers several advantagesover traditional single-barrier film compressionsystems.Symmetric compression causes minimal film flow,maximizing the accuracy of the film pressuremeasurement. The Wilhelmy plate is evenlycompressed from both sides and there is noshifting even with the stiffest films.Substrate dipping is performed at the center ofthe film compression, where the monolayer isuniformly oriented, which ensures homogeneoustransfer of the monolayer from the air/waterinterface onto the substrate. Both sides of thesubstrate are evenly coated and no back drag,commonly encountered with single-barrier systems,will occur. In addition, symmetric compressionminimizes the parabolic film flow pattern(center moving faster than sides), which oftenStandard troughscauses major distortion with single-barriersystems and with condensed films.Symmetric film compression by two barriersreduces the relative barrier speeds to half of thatof one-barrier systems. Reduced barrier speedcauses less shear resistance - another importantfactor with condensed films.Symmetric compressionCustom made troughsIsotherm trough – Minitrough 1Enzyme kinetics troughBiological multicompartment troughsDipping trough and dipper– Minitrough 2Black lipid membrane troughMicroscopy trough – Minitrough 3Trough for scattering, diffraction andspectroscopy studies of monolayersInterfacial, liquid/liquid trough

SoftwareKSV Minitrough is run by a powerful 32-bitsoftware written in C++ for Windows TM 2000and XP. Using the software is easy to learn dueto the familiar point and click format of dropdown menus, buttons and icons. The softwareallows the user to perform a variety of preprogrammedexperiments covering of the mostknown Langmuir-film experiments. The programscan be further modified to particular needs. Awide range of datapoints and measuringparameters are stored in a database and can beretrieved, analyzed or exported to another datareduction software.Standard Programinclude• Compression/relaxation isotherms: surfacepressure/mma, surface pressure/time, or surfacepressure/any desired measurable parameter• Transfer ratio and deposition profiles• Analysis of monolayer kinetics (enzyme kinetics,monolayer hydrolysis, polymerization etc.)• Analysis of monolayer penetration, solubilityand binding of biomolecules (enzymes, proteins,peptides etc.)• Isochores and isobars: constantincrease/decrease of surface pressure/mma,surface pressure/time, or surface pressure/anydesired measurable parameterexperiment has been started the PC will takefull control of the measurement until completion.The measurement data is stored in a databaseand can be retrieved and analyzed – even duringa measurement – in the Data Reduction andAnalysis section. Since each measurementsequence is named it is easy to retrieve the dataand have it displayed by your monitor. A varietyof graphs for your data can be displayed andprinted. There is an option for viewing and editingthe Experimental setup information. This is ahelpful feature if the data produced should berecalculated based on a new information aboutthe materials involved. Calculation of additionalresults are easily done as well as exporting ofdata to other softwares. Because of WindowsTMformat of the KSV LB software the data files canalso be transferred to other locations within anetwork or by Internet as digital images.The program is divided into four main sections– Main Menu, Experimental Setup, Measurements,Data Reduction and Analysis. The core of thesoftware is the Main Menu from which all othersections and programs can be accessed.The Experimental setup includes informationwhich is specific for every measurement. Oncean experiment has been chosen various informationand parameters are entered into theExperimental Setup window. This helps to keepthe data organized and makes it easier to searchfor a specific measurement afterwards.To begin a measurement materials and instrumentare set ready, Experimental setup window is filledout and Trough Controls are defined. Once the

The CompanyKSV Instruments Ltd, Helsinki, Finland, is the leadingglobal provider of routine, research and characterizationinstruments to surface chemistry and Langmuir-Blodgettfilm applications.Langmuir film ProductsRanging from manual, educational apparatuses to fullyequipped high performance R&D grade multi/alternatinglayer LB-troughs KSV offers the widest range of Langmuirsystems in the world.Thin filmCharacterizationKSV’s BAM (Brewster Angle Microscope) and QCM(Quarts Crystal Microbalance) are used for characterizationof Thin films and for wide variety of nanotechnologyapplications in biology and molecularengineering.Surface ChemistryProdutsWith Sigma 700 Tensiometer and CAM 100/CAM 200Drop Shape Analysis contact angle meters and theirvarious modifications KSV covers most of known surfacechemistry measuring methods. All instruments utilizethe latest technological advances in measurement ofsurface/interfacial tension of liquids as well as interactionsbetween liquid/solid systems.SpecificationsFILM DEPOSITION SYSTEMControl and Software controlled unsupervised andoperationautomatic film depositionsDepositionspeedDepositioncyclesDwell timesMax. sizeof substrateDipper motorStandard range 0.1 to 75 mm/min,Speed adjustment increment 0.1 mm1 to unlimited depositions0 s to unlimited, individual adjustment forupper and lower delay times60 x 35 mm 2 (100% immersion)Servo-controlled DC motorFILM PRESSURE MEASURING SYSTEMMeasuringWilhelmy plate method, platinum or paperprinciplesensor element connected to microelectronicfeedback system for surface pressure control.Software controlled operation, userprogrammable process parameters.Dynamic rongeResolution0 to 250 mN/m4 μN/mFILM AREA CONTROL SYSTEMSurface area Symmetric compression of monolayer byregulation2 inwardly moving barriers.Software controlled operation and user,programmable process parameters.SurfocebarriersCompressionspeedMade of hydrophilic, optionally hydrophobic,material. Leakage proof.0.02 mm to 200 mm/minInaccurocy Less than 1%Barrier driveTROUGHMaterialBelt drive powered by servo controlledDC motorSolid, cast-molded PTFE with integrateddipping well. No glue or o-ring seals.Aluminium base plate with built-in waterchannels for temperature control of thesubphase. PTFE thickness at troughbottom 1.15 mm. Trough with very smallvolume by request.SizeVolume365 x 75 x 5 mm.Dipping well in centre of trough0.160 l without dipping wellwww.ksvltd.comKSV Instruments LtdHöyläämötie 700380 HelsinkiFINLANDKSV Instruments USAP.O. Box 192Monroe, CT 06468USATel. +358-9-5497-3300Fax +358-9-5497-3333e-mail: info@ksvltd.fiTel. +1-800-280 6216+1-203-268-1745Fax +1-203-459-0437e-mail: ksvinfo@aol.com