Hanuo SHA-C Water Bath Incubator Shaker

Overview

The Hanuo SHA-C Water Bath Incubator Shaker is an engineered platform for precise temperature-controlled agitation of liquid samples in life science and bioprocessing workflows. It operates on the principle of reciprocating (linear back-and-forth) motion within a thermostatically regulated water bath environment—ensuring uniform thermal distribution and minimal sample disturbance during incubation. Unlike air-jacketed shakers, water bath systems provide superior temperature homogeneity (<±0.5 °C stability) and gentle heat transfer, making them ideal for sensitive biological applications such as microbial culture expansion, enzyme kinetics assays, hybridization protocols, and suspension cell maintenance. The unit integrates independent microprocessor-based control of both temperature and oscillation parameters, enabling reproducible experimental conditions across extended durations up to 120 minutes.

Key Features

• Reciprocating oscillation mode with continuously adjustable frequency (0–300 rpm), optimized for low-shear mixing of viscous or shear-sensitive suspensions.
• Stainless steel water bath chamber and platform—resistant to corrosion from aqueous buffers, saline solutions, and mild reagents; compliant with laboratory cleaning and decontamination protocols.
• Digital PID temperature controller with real-time display and ±0.5 °C stability across the full operating range (ambient to 100 °C).
• Integrated timer with 1-minute resolution (0–120 min), supporting unattended operation and protocol standardization.
• Spring-loaded universal bottle holder system accommodates multiple tube formats (e.g., 15 mL, 50 mL conical tubes, flasks up to 1 L) without clamping tools—enabling rapid setup for comparative experiments.
• No-splash oscillation design minimizes evaporation and cross-contamination risk during prolonged shaking cycles.
• Robust mechanical architecture with vibration-dampened base and sealed heating elements for long-term reliability under continuous use.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SHA-C supports standard laboratory vessels including glass and polypropylene centrifuge tubes, Erlenmeyer flasks, and multi-well plates (when used with compatible adapters). Its water bath configuration ensures compatibility with temperature-sensitive biomolecules—including proteins, nucleic acids, and primary cell suspensions—where air-shaking systems may induce thermal gradients or surface denaturation. The device meets general safety requirements per IEC 61010-1 for laboratory equipment and incorporates over-temperature cutoff protection. While not certified for GMP manufacturing environments, its stable thermal performance and traceable parameter logging support GLP-compliant research documentation when paired with external audit-trail software.

Software & Data Management

The SHA-C operates via an embedded microcontroller interface with no external PC dependency. All setpoints—including temperature, time, and speed—are stored in non-volatile memory and retained after power cycling. Though it does not feature USB or Ethernet connectivity, its digital display enables manual recording of operational logs for SOP adherence. For laboratories requiring electronic recordkeeping, integration with third-party environmental monitoring platforms (e.g., LabArchives, Benchling) is achievable via serial output (RS-232 optional upgrade) or manual data entry using standardized templates aligned with 21 CFR Part 11 principles.

Applications

• Bacterial and yeast culture propagation under controlled thermal and agitation conditions.
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) where broth dilution methods require consistent mixing and temperature maintenance.
• Nucleic acid hybridization (e.g., Southern/Northern blot pre-hybridization steps) requiring uniform buffer exchange and probe binding kinetics.
• Enzyme activity assays involving temperature-dependent reaction rates and substrate solubilization.
• Protein solubilization and refolding studies utilizing gradient temperature ramps combined with gentle agitation.
• Environmental microbiology sample enrichment (e.g., coliform detection in water analysis) per EPA Method 1604 guidelines.
• Pharmaceutical excipient solubility screening across physiological temperature ranges.

FAQ

What is the maximum load capacity per platform?
The single-platform design supports up to 5 kg distributed evenly across standard vessel configurations (e.g., twelve 50 mL tubes or four 250 mL flasks).
Can the water bath be operated without shaking?
Yes—the oscillation function can be disabled independently while maintaining precise temperature control, functioning as a standard water bath incubator.
Is distilled water required for operation?
Deionized or distilled water is recommended to prevent mineral buildup on the heater and sensor surfaces; tap water may be used with periodic descaling using 5% acetic acid.
How often should calibration verification be performed?
We recommend quarterly verification of temperature accuracy using a NIST-traceable thermometer and annual validation of timer and speed accuracy per ISO/IEC 17025 internal quality procedures.
Does the unit support external temperature probes for sample monitoring?
No—the built-in PT100 sensor monitors bath temperature only; direct sample temperature measurement requires insertion of a separate calibrated probe into the vessel.