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Air Displacement vs. Fluid Displacement Technology

The debate over AIR vs. FLUID displacment technology does not need to go any further than whether or not you use TRUE fixed tips or disposables.

Many people think that a fluid filled system using a disposable tip cone is different than an air filled pipette. Functionally they ar the same. Since the fluid from the system never contacts the pipette tip you have two air displacment systems.

One has the the plunger located higher in the barrel, as in a hand held system. The other uses liquid as the plunger. Both displace air to draw liquid into the pipette tip. However, the fluid system does not have as much compressible air in the barrel and thus, can provide a larger volume range of pipetting with a smaller length syringe barrel.

Both systems with a 1.0mL syringe can deliver low end accuracy of 1-3uL in the 3%CV and higher range with a little liquid class modification and optimization time.