Jiayuan MK100-4A Microplate Incubator
| Brand | Jiayuan |
|---|---|
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Model | MK100-4A |
| Temperature Range | Ambient +5°C to 80°C |
| Temperature Accuracy | ≤ ±0.5°C |
| Heating Time | ≤20 min (from ambient to 80°C) |
| Timer Range | 1 min to 99 h 59 min |
| Display Resolution | 0.1°C |
| Temperature Uniformity Across Plate | ≤ ±0.5°C |
| Capacity | 4 standard microplates (e.g., 96-well, 384-well, deep-well, cell culture plates) |
| Power Consumption | 120 W |
| Dimensions | 280 × 270 × 140 mm |
| Weight | 4.5 kg |
Overview
The Jiayuan MK100-4A Microplate Incubator is a compact, PID-controlled thermal incubation system engineered for precise and stable temperature management of multi-well microplates in life science laboratories. Designed specifically for applications requiring consistent thermal environments—such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), cell-based assays, immunoassay development, and microbial growth studies—the device employs a dual-zone resistive heating architecture coupled with high-resolution digital feedback control. Unlike ambient-air incubators, the MK100-4A delivers rapid, uniform thermal transfer directly to plate surfaces via thermally optimized aluminum heating blocks, minimizing convective drift and edge effects. Its operating range spans from ambient +5°C to 80°C, supporting both physiological (37°C) and elevated-temperature protocols (e.g., antibody incubation at 60°C or enzymatic reactions up to 75°C), while maintaining ≤ ±0.5°C accuracy and ≤ ±0.5°C well-to-well uniformity across four simultaneously loaded plates.
Key Features
- PID-driven temperature regulation with real-time digital feedback ensures minimal thermal overshoot and long-term stability (<0.3°C fluctuation under steady-state conditions)
- Intuitive single-knob interface with backlit LCD display showing current temperature, setpoint, remaining time, and operational status
- Dual-layer heating system comprising primary surface heaters and auxiliary thermal compensation elements to mitigate gradient formation across plate footprints
- Auto-restart function upon power recovery: resumes pre-interruption settings without manual reconfiguration, supporting unattended overnight operation
- Wide programmable timer (1 minute to 99 hours 59 minutes) with audible end-of-cycle alert and optional silent mode for sensitive environments
- Low-power design (120 W nominal) with energy-efficient switching-mode power supply certified to IEC 61000-3-2 harmonic emission standards
- Compact footprint (280 × 270 × 140 mm) and lightweight construction (4.5 kg) enable seamless integration into biosafety cabinets, laminar flow hoods, or benchtop workflows
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The MK100-4A accommodates standard ANSI/SLAS-compliant microplate formats including 96-well, 384-well, deep-well (V-bottom and U-bottom), and cell culture plates (24-, 48-, and 96-well). Its plate-support geometry is mechanically adjustable to accommodate variable well depths and skirted/unskirted configurations without accessory modification. The unit complies with ISO 13485-aligned manufacturing practices and meets CE marking requirements under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU. While not classified as a medical device, its thermal performance characteristics align with common validation benchmarks referenced in ASTM E2234 (Standard Practice for Validation of Thermal Processing Equipment) and support GLP-compliant documentation when integrated into controlled laboratory environments.
Software & Data Management
The MK100-4A operates as a standalone instrument with embedded firmware—no external software or driver installation required. All parameters are configured locally via the front-panel interface, and runtime data (setpoint, actual temperature, elapsed time) are continuously logged in non-volatile memory with timestamping. Though it lacks USB or Ethernet connectivity, the device supports manual audit trail generation through screen-captured logs and operator-recorded run sheets. For laboratories implementing 21 CFR Part 11–compliant systems, the incubator may be operated within validated procedural controls, including defined calibration intervals (recommended annually per ISO/IEC 17025 guidance), documented maintenance records, and user-access restriction protocols enforced at the procedural—not hardware—level.
Applications
- ELISA and other ligand-binding assays requiring strict thermal consistency during antibody-antigen incubation steps
- Cell viability and proliferation assays (e.g., MTT, CCK-8) where temperature-sensitive metabolic activity must be preserved
- High-throughput screening (HTS) workflows involving parallel thermal conditioning of compound-treated plates
- Microbial culture enrichment prior to PCR or sequencing library preparation
- Protein denaturation/renaturation studies using controlled ramp-and-hold thermal profiles
- Quality control testing of diagnostic reagents under accelerated stability conditions (e.g., ICH Q1A)
FAQ
What microplate formats does the MK100-4A support?
It accepts all ANSI/SLAS-standard microplates up to 96-well format—including flat-bottom, round-bottom, V-bottom, and skirted variants—without adapters.
Is calibration traceable to national standards?
Yes; the unit ships with a factory calibration certificate referencing NIST-traceable reference thermometers. Field recalibration is supported using external Class A PT100 probes.
Can the incubator be used inside a CO₂ incubator or biosafety cabinet?
Yes, provided ambient humidity remains below 80% RH and airflow is unrestricted around the unit’s ventilation grilles.
Does it support ramp-and-soak temperature programming?
No—this model implements only fixed-setpoint incubation with timer-based termination. Multi-step thermal profiles require external controller integration.
What safety certifications does it hold?
CE-marked per EN 61010-1:2010 for laboratory electrical equipment, including protection against overheating (Class II insulation) and abnormal temperature rise under fault conditions.
