Borosilicate glass vessels are available up to 20 l and can be fitted with lip-sealed or magnetically coupled stirrers. Techne UK offers a complete line of stir flasks in volumes up to 5 l. Designed with a stirring rod rather than paddles, they simplify cleaning and autoclaving by eliminating rotating bearings. The unique stirring action creates vertical and horizontal flow in a gentle spiral throughout the culture. These borosilicate stir flasks range from 100 ml to 36 l and feature Teflon spin paddles, side vents for probes and easy sampling, and jacketed models for use with a recirculating water bath.
All models are completely autoclavable.
Wheaton Science Products offers scale-up systems for all levels of production. A removable stainless steel pin immobilizes the impeller to prevent cell damage during handling. Available in a range of sizes from 125 ml to 8 l, they are fully autoclavable. An innovative alternative to the stirred tank is the airlift bioreactor. The reactor has no moving blades to create shear forces, which some mammalian and hybridoma cells are particularly sensitive to.