Acoustic Dispensing vs. I.DOT

Non-contact, low-volume dispensing technologies have revolutionized liquid handling in laboratories, offering greater precision, reduced cross-contamination, and improved efficiency. Two leading technologies in this field are Immediate Drop on Demand Technology (I.DOT) and Acoustic Dispensing Technology. While both have unique strengths, they cater to different research needs and applications.

Acoustic Dispensing Technology

Acoustic Dispensing uses sound waves to transfer droplets from a source plate to a target plate, making it most effective for low-viscosity liquids at low volumes. It is primarily used for nanoliter-scale transfers in applications such as high-throughput screening.

Immediate Drop on Demand Technology (I.DOT)

The I.DOT Non-Contact Dispenser employs a pressure-based system that generates droplets as small as 2.55 nL. This technology allows precise dispensing of a wide range of liquids, from aqueous solutions to high-viscosity fluids with up to 65% glycerol concentration. Its flexibility, low dead volume, and compatibility with various formats, including deep well plates, make it a preferred choice for a broad spectrum of applications. It expands the applicability of non-contact dispensing to genomics and synthetic biology experiments.

Key Differences Between I.DOT and Acoustic Dispensing Technology

Application Range and Liquid Compatibility

• Acoustic Dispensing: Best suited for low-viscosity fluids and applications that do not require handling of complex or highly viscous liquids. This limitation can restrict its use in experiments involving a wider range of sample types and reagents.
• I.DOT: Capable of dispensing a broader range of liquid types and viscosities, from methanol to 65% glycerol. It is ideal for diverse applications, such as drug discovery, genomics, and synthetic biology, and performs well with challenging samples like cells, magnetic beads, and viscous reagents.

Dead Volume and Reagent Utilization

• Acoustic Dispensing: Has a dead volume of up to 21 nL, which can lead to increased reagent consumption and higher costs, especially when working with expensive or low-volume samples.
• I.DOT: Offers a minimal dead volume of just 1 µL (H₂O), maximizing reagent utilization and minimizing waste. This is particularly advantageous for precious or limited samples where conservation is crucial.

Dispensing Resolution and Volume Range

• Acoustic Dispensing: Features a fixed droplet size of 2.5 nL, resulting in a dispensing resolution of 2.5 nL. This can limit the ability to generate highly linear dose-response curves. The bottom-to-top dispensing mechanism restricts maximum transfer volume to the low single-digit microliter range.
• I.DOT: Supports a wide volume range from 2.55 nL to 30 µL with a high resolution of 0.1 nL, allowing for precise and reproducible dose-response curves. This flexibility accommodates various experimental setups, from nanoliter assays to larger microliter-scale applications.

Dispensing Speed

• Acoustic Dispensing: Utilizes a single dispensing channel with a maximum droplet size of 2.5 nL, which can limit transfer speed.
• I.DOT: Employs eight parallel dispensing channels with independent volume control, capable of dispensing droplets up to 50 nL at 100 droplets per second. This results in high throughput, such as dispensing 10 nL H₂O across a 384-well plate in just 10 seconds.

Cost of Ownership and Maintenance

• Acoustic Dispensing: Typically comes at a higher price point and requires frequent maintenance of the acoustic transducer system, adding to overall costs.
• I.DOT: Provides a cost-effective solution for labs of all sizes with a lower initial investment and robust hardware that requires minimal maintenance, reducing downtime and long-term expenses.

Choosing the Right Technology for Your Lab

When selecting a non-contact dispensing technology, consider the types of applications, liquid types, and budgetary constraints specific to your lab. The I.DOT’s versatility, broad liquid handling capabilities, and cost efficiency make it an excellent choice for labs seeking to optimize workflows without compromising on performance. Acoustic Dispensing Technology, on the other hand, is best suited for low-viscosity applications that require nanoliter-scale transfers.

For researchers looking for a flexible solution that offers precision, efficiency, and flexibility the I.DOT stands out as the preferred choice. Contact us to learn more about how the I.DOT can meet your lab’s specific requirements and elevate your research processes.