Applications Note 197 | August 2010

Technical Report

The Eppendorf Research plus pipette

lightweight, reliable and ergonomic
Kornelia Ewald1, Michael Schicke2
1
Eppendorf AG, Hamburg, Germany; 2Eppendorf Liquid Handling GmbH, Hamburg, Germany

Abstract

In todays research environment, attention on pipettes no longer focuses exclusively on precision and accuracy;
instead, user-friendly operating features, which reduce strain during pipetting, have moved into the foreground.
Therefore, ergonomics plays an important role for the user. Primarily mentioned aspects are the weight of the
pipette and the forces required during use. Included in the handling force are, among others, the force required for
attachment and securing as well as ejection of the pipette tip. The new mechanical pipettes of the pipette family
Eppendorf Research plus have demonstrated optimal performance in all those areas.

Introduction

Continuous new demands on pipettes and related dispensing
devices have given rise to a number of different dispensing
systems. While these instruments had initially been devised
for specific applications, they are now being used in a
variety of different areas. Due to the trend towards having
to manage larger numbers of samples of reduced volume,
increasingly comfortable pipetting and dispensing systems
have evolved. The new mechanical piston-stroke pipettes
by Eppendorf, Research plus, are equipped with a number
of remarkable patented functions.
 Application Note 197 | Page 2
Spring-loaded tip cone
The pipettes of this new family of pipettes are based on a
novel principle, a so-called tip-cone [Fig.1].
During attachment and securing of the pipette tip onto the
cone the extra force exerted is compensated by the spring
loaded tip cone. This signals the tight fit of the tip. Thus, on
the one hand, a significantly decreased force is needed to
achieve optimal fit, while on the other hand this limitation of
force will facilitate the subsequent tip ejection. In addition,
2
Research plus pipette
Fig. 1: Spring loading of the tip cone (1) improves the fit of the pipette tip
during attachement (2).
the spring loading of multichannel pipettes yields a
significantly better tip fit as well as optimized tip alignment,
thus eliminating the need for manual adjustment of individual
tips. An additional effect of spring loading is the prevention
of the so-called slip stick, a backwards movement of the
piston following longer periods of inactivity, as the pipette
piston is automatically moved during the attachment of the
tip. Thus, extra force during the first stroke of the piston is
no longer necessary.
2
Research pipette
Fig. 2: Pipette without spring loading
 Application Note 197 | Page 3

Forces and weight

In comparison with several competitors pipettes, the pipetting forces and extra stroke forces of the Research plus pipettes
were determined [Fig. 3 and 4].

35 35 Eppendorf Research plus

Eppendorf Research

30 30 Eppendorf Reference

Competitor A

Competitor B
25 25
Competitor C

Competitor D

20 20
Forces (N)

Competitor E

Competitor F

15 15

10 10

55

00

0
0
5
5
10
10
Distance (mm) 15
15
20
20
25
25

Fig. 3: Comparison of pipetting forces (without tip ejection)

50 50

40 40

32.8

30 30 27.2
25.9
Forces (N)

20 20
16.3 16.4
14.2 14.9
13.4
11.6

10 10

11.5
8.3
6.8 6.8 5.9 7.0
5.1 4.9
2.9
0 0 Pipette with original tip, 100 1000 L
h p rf

se orf

en f

rA
fer or

rD
rB

rC

rE

rF
lus

ce
arc endo

arc
Re end

Re pend

to

to

to

to
to

to
eti

eti

eti

eti
eti

eti
Re Epp

mp
Ep

Ep

mp

mp

mp
mp

mp
se

Co

Co

Co

Co
Co

Co

Fig. 4: Comparison of blow out forces (1 kg = 9.81 N)

The columns show the pipetting forces (lower part) and the blow out forces (upper part).

Reference: Eppendorf AG, Quality Assurance, data determined using Zwick force transducer, Zwick/Roell model Z005
 Application Note 197 | Page 4

Furthermore, the ejection force was measured for each pipettes with the assigned pipette tip at an obtainable attachement force
of 50 N [Fig. 5]. With the Research plus, this attachement force (50 N) cannot be reached due to the spring loaded tip cone.

60
60

50
50

40
40
Forces (N)

30
30

20
20

10
10

0
0 Pipette with original tip, 100 1000 L
rA

rF
rE
h p rf

en f

rD
rB

rC
fer or
lus

ce
arc endo

to

to
to
Re pend

to

to
to
eti

eti
eti
eti

eti
eti
Re Epp

mp

mp
mp
mp

mp
mp
Ep

Co

Co
Co
Co

Co
se

Co

Fig. 5: Ejection force at an obtainable attachment force of 50 N

In comparison with various competitors pipettes, the Research plus pipette is one of the lightest pipettes available on the

Reference: Eppendorf AG, Quality Assurance, data determined using Mettler Toledo Waage AG 285,
market [Fig. 6].

Company Model Serial No. 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Eppendorf Research plus 0.5 10 L

Eppendorf Reference
Competitor A
Competitor B

Serial no. 1120243640. Error and technical specifications subject to change

Competitor C
Competitor D
Competitor E
Competitor F
Eppendorf Research plus 10 100 L
Eppendorf Reference
Competitor A
Competitor B
Competitor C
Competitor D
Competitor E
Competitor F
Eppendorf Research plus 100 1.000 L
Eppendorf Reference
Competitor A
Competitor B
Competitor C
Competitor D
Competitor E
Competitor F

Fig. 6: Weight comparison (measured in gram) 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

 Application Note 197 | Page 5

Novel piston material

In order to reduce the handling forces as well as the weight of the Research plus pipettes, high quality synthetic materials
were used in the production of pipette pistons of the 20 L (yellow) to 10 mL volume range. The material PPS (polyphenyl-
ene sulfide, Fortron) was used for the cylinder, the piston rod is made from PEI (polyetherimide), and the washer is made
from EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene-rubber). Through the use of these tried and tested materials, in combination with
the novel method of production of the pipette piston, an extremely easy forward and backward sliding of the piston was
achieved. All synthetic materials used were subjected to chemical resistance testing over an extended period of time
(100,000 strokes) using different substances, such as ethanol, acetone, concentrated hydrochloric acid and nitric acid.

Fortron is a registered trademark of Ticona. eppendorf, Eppendorf Research and Eppendorf Reference are registered trademarks of Eppendorf AG. Eppendorf Research plus is a used trademark of Eppendorf AG.
During this test phase, all plastics demonstrated very good chemical resistance. Furthermore, they showed high temperature
resistance. The pistons of pipettes of the volume range 0.120 L (gray) are made from corrosion-free vanadium steel,
as in previous generations.

Multichannel pipettes with 4 or 6 channels, respectively

Fewer than 8 or 12 channels of the multichannel pipettes, respectively, can be used. In order to adapt the pipette cones
to the varying distances between wells of a 24- or 384-well microtiter plate, pistons or tip cones can be removed and thus
inactivated. Even filling of tubes in racks is easily possible. The procedure for channel reduction is described in Application
Note No. 198.

Reliability test
In the context of the reliability test, the following tests listed below were performed with the Research plus pipettes:

100,000 x tip attachment

100,000 x tip ejection strokes
200,000 x strokes including excess stroke
50,000 x volume adjustment
250 x pulling off of the ejection case
200 x detachment and re-attachment of the lower part
175 autoclave cycles (121 C, 1 bar, 20 min.)

The number of respective tests chosen corresponds to an average 5 year use of the pipette. Additional tests included
change of the adjustment, falling tests and gravimetric tests according to EN ISO 8655.The results showed that the new
pipette family by Eppendorf meets testing requirements in all capacities and did not show any signs of damage or
impairment following testing.

Outlook

In the meantime, the function as a precision measuring device is only one demand placed upon a pipette. In the future,

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other additional features of a pipette will be important factors in deciding whether a certain pipette is suitable for specific
applications.
The Research plus pipette meets present and future requirements, such as reduction of handling force and weight, as well
as spring loading of the work cone in order to achieve reduction of tip attachment force in a unique fashion. In summary,
its design and ergonomics are definitely forward-looking.

Order no: AA19 7WW 020/GB4/WEB/0810/KW

Your local distributor: www.eppendorf.com/worldwide

Eppendorf AG 22331 Hamburg Germany Tel: +49 40 538 01-0 Fax: +49 40 538 01-556 E-mail: eppendorf@eppendorf.com
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