Quick Guide: PIXUL™ Multi-Sample Sonicator
This Quick Guide provides instructions for how to operate the PIXUL Multi-Sample Sonicator (Cat. No. 53130).
IMPORTANT: PIXUL sonication requires using PIXUL 96-well round bottom plates (cat. no. 53139). Using any other plates may result in inefficient sonication, may
damage the instrument transducers, and will void the instrument warranty.
1. How to Turn On
1.

Turn on the large switch on the back of the instrument to the ON position. The light around the center power button on the front of the instrument
should illuminate.

2.

Press the center power switch. The touchscreen will begin initializing and load the home screen.

1.1

1.2

2

2. How to Get Ready for Sonication
1.

Once PIXUL is on, the first step is to check the coupling fluid level (cat. no. 53136).

2.

Coupling Fluid should be just above the circular cut-out in the plastic column within reservoir. The reservoir capacity is approximately 600 mL, and thefluid level should be topped off as needed.

3. How to Chill PIXUL Prior to Sonication
1.

Load 96-well microplate with samples, seal carefully, and place the plate on the black grid in the PIXUL instrument.
NOTE: Using PIXUL 96-well roundbottom plates (cat. no. 53139) is required and all wells without samples in the columns containing samples being sonicated must be
filled with liquid (water, buffer, etc.) prior to sonicating.

2.

Secure plate by placing black hold-down plate on top andfastening tension rods or clamps, then close white lid.

3.

Once secured, press “CIRCULATE” on touchscreen and allow PIXUL to cool to at least 14 ̊C which takes up to 5 minutes.

4. How to Program the Instrument
1.

Use the touchscreen to select the wells you want to sonicate.

2.

We recommend using the following parameter specifications as a starting point, and adjusting Process Time to optimize for your specific sample
and application:
Sonication Parameter

Setting

Pulse [N]PRF [kHz]
Process Time [min]Burst Rate [Hz]50
1.00
30:00 or 36:00 (for ChIP) / 2:00 or 5:00 (for protein-based assays)
20.00

3.

Press “START” on the touchscreen. Run-timer will appear on the top left corner of touchscreen.Do not lift lid while PIXUL runs.

4.

Once sonication is complete, pop-up appears on screen, click Ok, open the lid and allow coupling fluid to drain from under the plate (this will happen
automatically, and will take 5-10 seconds).

5.

Remove plate from instrument and close lid but do not fasten the tension rods.

6.

Turn off instrument in reverse order as it was turned on. If using again on the same day,power off 1.2 only.

7.

Please be vigilant about coupling fluid levels and error messages.

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Technical Support
For PIXUL error messages and unusual observations please notify Active Motif account manager/field application scientist immediately.
If you need assistance at any time, please call or send an e-mail to Active Motif Technical Service at one of the locations listed below.

Active Motif North America
1914 Palomar Oaks Way, Suite 150
Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA

Active Motif Europe
Waterloo Atrium
Dréve Richelle 167 – boîte 4BE-1410 Waterloo, Belgium

Active Motif Japan
Azuma Bldg, 7th Floor
2-21 Ageba-Cho, Shinjuku-Ku
Tokyo, 162-0824, Japan
Active Motif China
889 Wanhangdu Road
Suite 1602B
Jingan District
Shanghai, 200040, China

Toll Free: 877 222 9543
Direct: 760 431 1263
Fax: 760 431 1351
E-mail: tech_service@activemotif.com

Germany Free Phone: 0800 181 99 10
France Free Phone: 0800 90 99 79
UK Free Phone: 0800 169 31 47
Fax: +32 (0)2 653 0050
E-mail: eurotech@activemotif.com

Direct: +81 3 5225 3638
Fax: +81 3 5261 8733
E-mail: japantech@activemotif.com

Direct: (86)-21-20926090
Cell Phone: 18521362870
E-mail: techchina@activemotif.com

Visit Active Motif online at http://www.activemotif.com

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