Levitation Drives Impeller in Disposable Bag Mixer

09/10/2004

TC Tech and LevTech have developed a disposable bag mixing system using a stirring mechanism based on superconducting magnetic levitation.

Scientists have known that superconducting levitation is possible for many years, but the concept made headlines in the late 1980s after high-temperature superconductors were discovered. Unlike magnetic stir bars, an impeller that is levitated doesn’t touch the process vessel, preventing heat and particle generation.

Developers say the mixing system can be readily scaled up. Presently, the largest bag provides up to 500 L of capacity. The device’s impeller can also mix almost any fluid up to 1000 cP, roughly the viscosity of thick vegetable oil, they claim. The technology can also be used to mix two liquids for buffer dilution or for combination or solid dilution for media preparation.

For each stainless steel mixing vessel that users opted to replace with this technology, its developers say, they could save roughly $350,000 per year.