Thermo Fisher Sorvall MTX 150 Benchtop Ultracentrifuge
| Brand | Thermo Fisher |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Thermo Fisher Scientific |
| Product Category | Imported |
| Model | MTX 150 |
| Max. Capacity | 6 × 30 mL |
| Max. Speed | 150,000 rpm |
| Dimensions (H×W×D, lid closed) | 40 cm × 59 cm × 58 cm |
| Noise Level | <45 dBA |
| Max. RCF | 1,048,000 × g |
| Acceleration Time to 150,000 rpm (with S150-AT rotor) | ≤80 s |
| Power Supply | Standard laboratory AC outlet (100–240 V, 50/60 Hz) |
Overview
The Thermo Fisher Sorvall MTX 150 is a high-performance benchtop ultracentrifuge engineered for demanding subcellular and macromolecular separation tasks in modern life science laboratories. Operating on the principle of sedimentation equilibrium and rate-zonal centrifugation, it delivers exceptional rotational stability and thermal control at speeds up to 150,000 rpm—enabling precise isolation of organelles, ribosomes, viruses, lipoproteins, exosomes, and nucleic acid complexes. Its compact footprint (20% smaller than comparable systems), ultra-low acoustic signature (<45 dBA), and integrated vacuum system with active magnetic bearing technology ensure reproducible, vibration-damped operation without external chillers or dedicated utility infrastructure. Designed and manufactured in Germany under Thermo Fisher’s ISO 13485-certified quality management system, the MTX 150 meets stringent requirements for GLP-compliant workflows and regulated environments where traceability and instrument qualification are essential.
Key Features
- Maximum speed of 150,000 rpm and peak relative centrifugal force (RCF) of 1,048,000 × g—validated per ISO 21501-4 for rotor performance calibration.
- Benchtop form factor with dimensions of 40 cm (H) × 59 cm (W) × 58 cm (D), optimized for space-constrained labs including core facilities and individual investigator workspaces.
- S150-AT fixed-angle rotor (6 × 30 mL) achieves full operational speed in ≤80 seconds; rotor identification via embedded RFID ensures automatic parameter validation and safety interlock compliance.
- Intuitive 7-inch full-color capacitive touchscreen interface with multilingual support (English, German, French, Japanese, Chinese), providing real-time graphical feedback of speed, RCF, temperature, vacuum level, and run time.
- Active magnetic bearing drive system with auto-balancing compensation tolerates up to ±1.5 g mass imbalance per tube position—eliminating manual balancing and reducing user error.
- Integrated refrigeration with PID-controlled compressor and dual-stage heat exchange maintains sample temperature stability within ±0.5 °C across the full speed range (0–150,000 rpm).
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Sorvall MTX 150 supports standard ultracentrifuge tubes (e.g., Beckman Polyallomer, cellulose nitrate, and thick-walled polycarbonate) ranging from 1.5 mL to 30 mL capacity. It accommodates common density gradient media (e.g., sucrose, glycerol, iodixanol) and is compatible with both swing-bucket and fixed-angle rotors certified for biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) containment protocols. All rotors undergo mandatory annual certification per ASTM F2119 and ISO 15195:2018 for mechanical integrity and fatigue life verification. The system complies with IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and IEC 61326-1 (EMC requirements). Optional audit trail and electronic signature modules support FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance for regulated QC/QA applications.
Software & Data Management
The MTX 150 operates natively with Thermo Fisher’s CentriLog™ software suite (v3.2+), enabling method creation, remote monitoring via Ethernet/Wi-Fi, and export of raw run logs in CSV and XML formats. Data integrity is enforced through timestamped digital signatures, role-based access control (RBAC), and immutable audit trails—including all parameter changes, rotor usage history, and maintenance events. Exported datasets integrate directly with LIMS platforms (e.g., LabWare, STARLIMS) via HL7 or RESTful API. Firmware updates are delivered via secure HTTPS channels with SHA-256 hash verification, ensuring cryptographic integrity during deployment.
Applications
- Isolation and purification of extracellular vesicles (exosomes, microvesicles) using differential ultracentrifugation (MISEV2018-aligned protocols).
- Preparative separation of plasma lipoprotein fractions (HDL, LDL, VLDL) for cardiovascular biomarker research.
- Structural virology workflows including virus particle concentration, capsid assembly analysis, and cryo-EM sample preparation.
- Macromolecular complex characterization via sucrose gradient sedimentation followed by SDS-PAGE or mass spectrometry.
- Nanoparticle characterization (e.g., lipid nanoparticles, polymeric micelles) in mRNA vaccine development pipelines.
- Subcellular fractionation of mitochondria, lysosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum for functional proteomics studies.
FAQ
What is the maximum RCF achievable with the S150-AT rotor?
The S150-AT fixed-angle rotor achieves a maximum RCF of 1,048,000 × g at 150,000 rpm with 30 mL tubes filled to nominal volume.
Does the MTX 150 require external cooling water or chiller connections?
No—the system features an integrated, self-contained refrigeration unit with no external coolant lines required.
Can the MTX 150 be validated for GMP environments?
Yes—when equipped with optional IQ/OQ documentation packages and CentriLog™ audit trail module, it supports installation qualification, operational qualification, and routine performance verification per Annex 11 and USP .
Is rotor lifetime tracking automated?
Yes—each certified rotor contains an RFID tag storing manufacturing date, serial number, total accumulated run hours, and maximum speed history; this data is automatically logged and displayed during rotor mounting.
What safety certifications does the MTX 150 hold?
It conforms to IEC 61010-1 (3rd edition), IEC 61326-1, and carries CE marking for the European Economic Area; UL listing is available upon request for North American installations.
