IKA Color Squid Magnetic Stirrer

Overview

The IKA Color Squid Magnetic Stirrer is a compact, single-position benchtop instrument engineered for precision mixing in routine laboratory workflows. Designed around a brushless DC motor and permanent magnet drive system, it operates on the principle of magnetic coupling—where rotation of an internal rotating magnet induces synchronous motion in a ferromagnetic stir bar placed within the sample vessel. This contactless transmission eliminates mechanical wear, ensures high reproducibility across repeated experiments, and supports contamination-free operation essential for analytical chemistry, quality control, and cell culture preparation. Its thermally stable ceramic-glass plate surface—combined with a base constructed from recyclable thermoplastic elastomer (TPC-ET)—provides chemical resistance against common solvents, acids, and bases while maintaining structural integrity under prolonged thermal cycling between 5 °C and 40 °C.

Key Features

• Digital LED speed display offering real-time, high-resolution monitoring of rotational velocity (0–2500 rpm) with ±2 rpm repeatability under standard load conditions
• Electronically regulated brushless motor delivering consistent torque output up to 2500 rpm, enabling efficient homogenization of low-to-medium viscosity solutions (e.g., aqueous buffers, diluted polymer solutions, and saline media)
• Compact footprint (145 × 45 × 160 mm) and lightweight design (0.54 kg) optimized for space-constrained fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, and shared instrumentation benches
• Chemically inert heating plate composed of tempered glass fused with ceramic substrate, rated for continuous operation at ambient temperatures ranging from 5 °C to 40 °C without thermal drift or surface degradation
• IP54-rated enclosure providing protection against dust ingress and water splashes, meeting DIN EN 60529 requirements for general-purpose laboratory use
• Energy-efficient architecture with total input power consumption of only 4 W, compliant with IEC 62301 standby power specifications

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Color Squid accommodates standard cylindrical and conical glassware (e.g., beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks) up to 1 L volume when using appropriately sized stir bars (≤30 mm length). It is validated for use with deionized water, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), ethanol/water mixtures, and dilute sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid solutions (≤1 M). The device conforms to EN 61010-1:2019 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and carries CE marking for the European Economic Area. While not equipped with integrated temperature sensing or feedback control, its stable ambient operating range (5–40 °C) ensures compatibility with external cold/hot plates and environmental chambers used in GLP-compliant dissolution testing or ASTM D2196 viscosity sample conditioning protocols.

Software & Data Management

The Color Squid operates as a standalone analog instrument with no embedded microcontroller, firmware, or digital communication interface. It lacks RS232, USB, or analog output ports and does not support remote parameter logging, audit trail generation, or electronic record retention. As such, it is classified as a Class A non-data-acquisition device per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 guidance and requires manual entry of operational parameters into laboratory notebooks or LIMS systems. This architecture simplifies validation, reduces cybersecurity exposure, and aligns with minimal-regulation workflows in teaching labs, preliminary screening assays, and ISO/IEC 17025-accredited facilities where instrument qualification focuses on mechanical performance verification rather than software validation.

Applications

• Routine buffer and reagent preparation in molecular biology and clinical diagnostics laboratories
• Homogenization of calibration standards prior to HPLC or spectrophotometric analysis
• Stirring during titration setup and endpoint stabilization in quantitative wet chemistry
• Dispersion of nanoparticles in aqueous colloids for TEM sample preparation
• Supporting solvent exchange steps in solid-phase peptide synthesis workflows
• Use in undergraduate teaching labs where robustness, ease of operation, and low maintenance are prioritized over programmability

FAQ

Does the Color Squid include heating capability?
No. It is a non-heated magnetic stirrer. Temperature control is limited to ambient stabilization within 5–40 °C; external hotplates or chillers must be used for thermal regulation.
Is the device compatible with corrosive solvents like acetone or chloroform?
Yes—the glass-ceramic plate and TPC-ET housing exhibit resistance to short-term exposure to common organic solvents; however, prolonged immersion or vapor condensation should be avoided per IKA’s chemical compatibility guidelines.
Can multiple Color Squid units be synchronized or daisy-chained?
No. Each unit operates independently with no inter-device communication or master-slave functionality.
What stir bar dimensions are recommended for optimal performance at 2500 rpm?
A 25–30 mm cylindrical PTFE-coated stir bar with centered magnet alignment achieves maximum vortex stability and torque transfer efficiency in 1 L vessels.
Is calibration required before first use?
No formal calibration is specified by IKA; however, users should verify speed accuracy using a handheld tachometer per ISO/IEC 17025 Section 6.4.3 for traceable verification in accredited environments.