ZOLLO DPRX-250C Plant Growth Chamber

Overview

The ZOLLO DPRX-250C is a precision-engineered plant growth chamber designed for controlled-environment research in plant physiology, photobiology, seed germination, tissue culture, and long-term phenotypic studies. It operates on the principle of active environmental regulation—integrating independent, high-stability control of temperature, relative humidity, and spectrally tunable LED illumination within a thermally insulated stainless-steel chamber. Unlike conventional incubators, the DPRX-250C employs a cold-light architecture: its modular, top-mounted LED array emits negligible radiant heat, eliminating thermal gradients that compromise photosynthetic efficiency or morphological consistency. This enables true photobiological fidelity—where light intensity, spectral composition, and diurnal cycling are decoupled from thermal load, allowing researchers to isolate photomorphogenic variables with metrological rigor.

Key Features

• Triple-parameter independent control: Simultaneous, non-interfering regulation of temperature (0–50 °C), relative humidity (50–95% RH), and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intensity (0–25,000 lx).
• Full-spectrum, spectrally programmable LED lighting: Dual-channel red (660 nm) and blue (450 nm) emitters plus broad-spectrum white LEDs enable precise tuning of R:FR ratios and daily light integral (DLI) profiles—critical for phytochrome-mediated developmental assays.
• High-uniformity optical delivery: Top-mounted planar LED panel with diffuser optics ensures ≥90% spatial uniformity across the 250 L working volume, validated per ASTM E2912-13 for illumination homogeneity in biological chambers.
• Advanced thermal management: Hermetic compressor-based refrigeration paired with PID-controlled resistive heating delivers ±0.5 °C temperature stability and ±5% RH humidity control—maintained under dynamic load conditions including multi-stage lighting cycles.
• Intelligent airflow architecture: Horizontal laminar circulation with equalized inlet/outlet ducts eliminates vertical stratification, ensuring ≤0.8 °C inter-shelf temperature variance at steady state.
• 30-segment programmable controller: Enables complex diurnal simulations—including ramped transitions between day/night setpoints for temperature, humidity, and light intensity—with automatic logging of all setpoint changes.
• Robust mechanical design: 304 stainless-steel interior, corrosion-resistant shelving, and polyurethane foam insulation (≥80 mm thickness) minimize thermal leakage and reduce energy consumption by >40% versus conventional fluorescent-lit chambers.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DPRX-250C accommodates standard plant growth vessels—including Petri dishes, Magenta boxes, growth pouches, hydroponic trays, and small-scale aeroponic modules—within its 500 × 450 × 1042 mm internal dimensions. Adjustable shelving (up to 4 positions, 70 mm pitch) supports variable canopy heights during longitudinal experiments. The chamber meets mechanical and electrical safety requirements per IEC 61010-1 and is engineered for continuous operation under GLP and ISO 17025-accredited laboratory environments. While not certified for medical device use, its data integrity features—including timestamped event logs, password-protected parameter locks, and non-volatile memory with power-fail recovery—align with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 expectations for audit-ready environmental records.

Software & Data Management

The integrated touchscreen interface (7-inch capacitive LCD) provides real-time visualization of all operational parameters, alarm status, and historical trend plots (72-hour rolling buffer). Data export is supported via USB 2.0 to CSV format; optional RS485 Modbus RTU output enables integration into centralized lab infrastructure (e.g., LabArchives, DeltaV, or custom SCADA systems). Remote monitoring is available through ZOLLO’s secure cloud gateway—supporting push notifications for out-of-spec events and authenticated mobile access for parameter review (no remote control permitted without physical key switch engagement). All configuration changes are time-stamped and logged with operator ID (if enabled), satisfying traceability requirements for regulatory audits.

Applications

• Controlled-environment phenotyping: Quantitative assessment of genotype-by-environment interactions under replicated light/temperature/humidity regimes.
• In vitro plant propagation: Sterile tissue culture initiation and proliferation under defined PAR spectra optimized for cytokinin-auxin balance.
• Seed dormancy and germination kinetics: High-resolution monitoring of radicle emergence across thermal and photoperiod gradients.
• Mutant screening platforms: Stable background illumination for CRISPR-edited line validation under standardized photobiological stress.
• Microbial growth kinetics: BOD incubation, fungal sporulation assays, and algal photobioreactor pre-conditioning where spectral quality directly impacts metabolic yield.
• Material aging studies: Accelerated photodegradation testing of biopolymers, pharmaceutical excipients, or agricultural films under calibrated UV-A–visible spectra.

FAQ

What is the maximum sustained illumination intensity achievable at the lowest shelf?
At the bottom shelf (closest to the LED panel), the DPRX-250C delivers up to 25,000 lx at 0 °C ambient; intensity decreases by ≤8% per 100 mm vertical increment due to inverse-square divergence—fully compensated by adjustable shelf height.
Does the chamber support CO₂ enrichment?
No. The DPRX-250C is not equipped with gas inlet/outlet ports or CO₂ sensors. For carbon-responsive studies, external gas blending systems must be integrated via the 20 mm test port (included) with appropriate mass flow controllers.
Can humidity be controlled independently during dark cycles?
Yes. Humidity regulation remains fully active regardless of lighting state, using dedicated ultrasonic humidification and desiccant-assisted dehumidification pathways—ensuring stable RH setpoints across 24/7 operational modes.
Is firmware upgradable in the field?
Yes. Firmware updates are delivered via USB stick and installed through the service menu; version history and checksum verification are displayed prior to installation to ensure integrity.
What calibration documentation is provided?
Each unit ships with a factory calibration certificate covering temperature (NIST-traceable PT100 sensor), humidity (capacitive hygrometer), and irradiance (calibrated photodiode array); annual recalibration services are available through ZOLLO-certified labs.