Microalgae Research and Industrial Cultivation

Prevent culture crash with high throughput monitoring of algae in real-time. The FlowCam automates the analysis of large volumes of data for microalgae research and industrial cultivation, providing 40+ morphological parameters including biovolume, size distribution, shape and fluorescence to aid in population health analysis and harvest scheduling. Contamination identification and enumeration is streamlined through the creation of libraries that classify invasive species and foreign particles.

Analyze a 1 mL sample in 6 minutes
Analysis with the FlowCam is repeatable and scalable
FlowCam can be integrated with the Automated Liquid Handler for high throughput analysis of ninety-six 1 mL samples
VisualSpreadsheet software performs image analysis by measuring 40+ morphological parameters, including biovolume, coloration, shape, and size

Visit Microalgae Cultivation Resources Page for case studies, eBooks, and more.

How Does the FlowCam Work?

A live or preserved sample is introduced into the top of the FlowCam
Imaging and flow settings are adjusted to optimize organism and particle analysis
A microsyringe pump draws the sample (minimum sample volume = 200 µL) through a cuvette and a camera photographs each organism/particle as it flows, recording count and concentration in real time
Image recognition software, VisualSpreadsheet, measures 40+ physical properties, including biovolume, from each image
Data are analyzed using VisualSpreadsheet, either on the FlowCam or a personal computer. Image libraries and statistical analysis techniques enable identification and classification of taxa. Reports can be exported in CSV format.

Customer Quote:

“Data, especially on algal cell shape and size, and on culture quality, that were too labor-intensive to collect are now routinely acquired and shared. We have found that the data obtained by a single person using FlowCam would have
previously required 3 people."

—Charley O'Kelly, Director of Applied Research, Cyanotech Corporation

Products

FlowCam 8000 Series

For particles 2 µm to 1 mm. Compatible with Automated Liquid Handler.

Applications: Track cell size distributions, monitor contamination, cell vitality analysis, lipid analysis

FlowCam 5000

Streamlined for rapid data acquisition and analysis, the FlowCam 5000 analyzes freshwater and marine samples, calculates cell counts, concentration and biovolume, and provides semi-automated classification of taxa; all at an affordable price that now puts the FlowCam technology within reach of smaller non-profits, facilities and government institutions.

FlowCam Automated Liquid Handler (ALH)

For automated, high-throughput, unsupervised sample analysis of up to ninety-six 1-mL samples. Compatible with the FlowCam 8000.

Applications: QA/QC, batch testing

Will the FlowCam ALH work for you? Inquire about a demonstration.

VisualSpreadsheet^® Software

VisualSpreadsheet FlowCam Aquatic Sample Run

Our proprietary software VisualSpreadsheet performs image recognition, particle measurements, statistical analyses, data collection, and enables data manipulation. With VisualSpreadsheet (ViSP), which is included with every FlowCam, you can create image libraries, digital filters, and use machine learning for auto-classification. View data in ViSP or export to Excel in CSV format. Visit the ViSP page for more information.

Visit the Microalgae Cultivation Resources Page for case studies, eBooks, and more.