What is a Vortex Mixer? What are Its Uses, and How It is Different from a Centrifuge?

Most scientific laboratories require mixing different solutions and components constantly and thoroughly as part of experiments. In instances that demand the highest degrees of precision, manual mixing cannot offer the desired outcome. Hence, they choose to invest in various equipment and instruments that help in laboratory mixings, such as homogenizers, magnetic stirrers, glass rods, and vortex mixers.

Vortex mixers are a particular category of laboratory equipment that works by creating a vortex to mix two liquids in differently-sized tubes. It operates on an electrical current where the apparatus is rotated at a specific speed, usually controlled manually. Vortex mixers are the perfect equipment for mixing small volumes of sample solutions in a laboratory setting.

What are the Main Parts of a Vortex Mixer?

A technician must effectively know how to use different parts for the proper function of vortex mixers. Here are some of them –

  • Main Switch – The main switch is the start button that allows electrical current to flow through the apparatus for operating the vortex mixer. In simple words, it is used to control the power of the equipment.
  • Operation Controller Button – This button is used for direct rotation or rotations while the sample vials are in contact with the well/cup head.
  • Speed Controller Knob – It is a knob present in the front of the vortex mixer. Turning the knob makes it possible to control the rotation speed of the device.
  • Motor – It is located right below the cup head and rotates in a circular motion. As the central part of the vortex mixer, it is responsible for the vortex effect in the sample for effective sample homogenization.
  • Well/Cup Head – The rubber cup head is found above the motor, used for holding tubes of liquid samples in place. Since glass test tubes are used in the vortex mixture, the well/cup head is used to keep them in place. It is typically made of a soft material, such as rubber.

What are the Applications of a Vortex Mixer?

Vortex mixers are used for an extensive range of scientific applications. Let’s take a quick look at them –

  • Vortex mixers are used primarily in the medical and clinical sectors for mixing and thawing samples.
  • Vortex mixers are used for suspending tissue or cell samples in cell culture and tissue analysis.
  • When investigating enzymes and proteins, a vortex mixer is essential for homogeneous sample mixing with buffer and reagents.
  • Vortex mixers are utilised for mixing and heating samples in pharmaceutical laboratories.
  • Vortex mixers can be employed in universities and schools for the purpose of experiments and practical demonstrations.
  • Vortex mixers are used for sample preparation and quality control testing in the industrial sector.

What are the Advantages of Using a Vortex Mixer?

Here are some of the critical benefits of a vortex mixer –

  • Because the apparatus comes with several speed options, technicians can manually set a desired speed and keep it constant throughout the operation.
  • Vortex mixers have the capacity to hold up to a dozen vials. Depending on how many vials need mixing at once, technicians can choose anywhere from one to twelve.
  • Vortex mixers work with minimal expertise and resources.
  • Vortex mixes can enhance and ensure a dependable and effective mixing of samples.

What are the Advantages of Using a Vortex Mixer?

Though both vortex mixers and centrifuges use centrifugal force to perform core functions, they are quite different from each other. Let’s take a closer look at them –

  • Vortex mixers are used primarily for single or multiple liquid samples using different types of accessories. On the other hand, centrifuges are used to mix multiple liquid samples of different volumes.
  • A vortex mixer in microbiology lab is generally used for mixing liquids. However, a centrifuge’s primary purpose is to separate different components present in a fluid.
  • The overall size of a vortex mixer is small and can fit on a benchtop. On the contrary, a centrifuge is much bigger in size.
  • The time taken to complete an operation is much shorter for vortex mixers in comparison with centrifuges.
  • In a vortex mixer, the generated centrifugal force is smaller than in the case of centrifuges.
  • In the case of a vortex mixer, the movement happens mainly inside the tube’s content while the tube remains in a fixed position, allowing the rotor to move.
  • Vortex mixers don’t have a feature that controls the overall temperature of a liquid sample. It’s not the case with centrifuges because it’s possible to control the
    sample’s temperature manually.
  • Vortex rotators have an average rotation speed range of about 100-3200 rpm. In the case of centrifuges, the average rotation speed range is much higher, usually around 300-15000 rpm.

Vortex Mixers from ILAB

ILAB specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing high-functionality scientific laboratory equipment that offers a broad range of applications. With our vortex mixers, you can successfully conduct analysis or experiments for bacterial protein expressions or food contamination analysis. For more information on our vortex mixers, get in touch with us.