BE/2100 Non-Invasive Biomass Monitor

No immersion port required. Measures through vessel walls or viewing port; avoids fouling and contamination. Wide linear range: < 0.1 to > 300 OD units! Automated, continuous, real-time, online biomass measurements. Lowest total cost of ownership of any biomass monitor currently available. Effective for both mammalian and bacterial cultures.

Non-Invasive

The BE 2100^® Biomass Monitor is a proprietary, non-invasive biomass monitoring system, designed for use in research laboratory and manufacturing environments. The BE 2100 is easily secured to the outside of a wide array of different bioreactor types, from small glass vessels to large stainless steel vessels with glass viewing ports. Since no immersion port is required, the need for sensor sterilization is also eliminated.

Ultra-Wide Linear Range

Most immersion probe methods are limited in the range of biomass growth they measure. Not the BE 2100! The BE 2100 sensor employs a novel method of optical monitoring that responds linearly to biomass over a wide range of growth; from less than 0.1 to greater than 300 OD units.

How It Works

Traditional optical biomass probes rely on a single emitterdetector pair, resulting in a sensitivity to biomass that is highly non-linear and limited in range. The BE 2100 sensor employs an array of infrared lasers and detectors. Each of the laser-detector pairs in the array are sensitive to a different range of biomass changes. The BE 2100 advantage is conferred by combining the signals from each of these pairs, in a manner that linearizes response to biomass changes over a very wide dynamic range.

Real-Time Monitoring

The BE 2100 Biomass Monitoring System includes an intuitive software program which allows the user to track the progress of fermentation and cell culture in real time. The software can calibrate the BE 2100 output to any desired units (OD, g/L, cells/mL, etc.) as well as track important events, simply by clicking on the graph. The BE 2100 Monitor comes equipped with RS-232 and USB ports, and two 4-20 mA analog output ports for added versatility. The second analog output provides real time growth rate tracking.

Digital sensor input ensures accurate sensor reporting even in electrically noisy environments. PC communication via USB or RS-232 (DB9) ports. Analog output: 4-20 mA or 2-10 V. 2 Analog outputs proportional to biomass and growth rate. Low DC voltage (9 V) power input. U.S. and international (CE marked) power adapter versions available.

Frequently Asked Questions About the BE/2100

Where do I mount the sensor?
The sensor must be mounted outside of the vessel, below the liquid level (note: some applications require starting with low liquid levels prior to inoculation. With SIP sight glass applications this could mean that the sensor reading is not valid until after inoculation.)


Does glass thickness matter or what is in front of the sensor?
We have tested glass thicknesses up to 0.5” (12 mm) and have seen little or no effect on the sensor reading.

SENSOR MINIMUM DISTANCE TO MEASURE FROM THE FRONT WINDON IS 3 CM (WHERE ALL THE PHOTODETECTOR PAIRS MEET).

This can be an issue if you have a baffle or other sensor in the way. Be sure to mount the sensor in a clear place on the vessel.


What wavelength does the sensor measure at?
The sensor measures at 850 nm (near infrared).


I have a light source in my vessel to grow plants or algae, is this an issue?
No, unless the light is shining with high intensity directly at the sensor. Already proven to work well in these types of applications.


Will I see sensitivity to bubbling or high agitation rates like I do in other sensors?
You can, there is some sensitivity with very high bubbling; this is typically only at very low ODs up to about 3, then bubbles become negligible.


How is this sensor better than the more expensive immersible sensors?
The BE/2100 uses an array of source-detector pairs to measure in the low, mid and high OD ranges. Immersible sensors only have one source-detector pair and, therefore, are limited to a very short OD range to measure accurately.


How is it that this technology seems so logical and simple, yet never been sold before?
It’s a mystery to us as well. We immediately put 3 different patents on it!


What vessel manufacture works best with the BUGLAB unit?
The unit is used in most manufactured vessels, glass, plastic or stainless steel with sight glass. These included Applikon, Broadley-James, New Brunswick Scientific, Sartorius and even the Nalgene Cell Cube.