Submersible Flow Cytometer

Added: Jun 02, 2010 11:20 am  

The Naval Research Laboratory intends to negotiate a contract on other than a full and open competitive basis in accordance with 10 USC 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source. NRL will negotiate with CytoBuoy; Jan Steenstraat 1, 3443GP Woerden, The Netherlands, for a submersible flow- cytometer. Additional specification requirements follow below.  Other business opportunities for NRL are available at our website http://heron.nrl.navy.mil/contracts/rfplist.htm.

Specifications:

In-situ and benchtop aquatic science flow cytometer with: 

--Laser: 50 mW blue-green (488nm) high quality laser module

--Focusing: flat light distribution to allow a high sample flow rate at undeteriorated data quality and the use of the instrument on moving platforms such as ships, submarines or moored buoys.

--Flow cell: ultra wide (1x1nm) Suprasil quartz cuvette with 2-stage hydrodynamic injection.

--Sheath fluid system using recirculating flow principle with high quality microgear pump with electronic speed control, fiberflo capsule filters (0.45 and 0.1 um), automatic venting and pressure relief.

--Sample dosing using a valveless, volumetric semi-continuous tubing pump (0.8mm ID). Direct concentration readout for automatic speed control.

--Main detection module with 3 detectors: one (1) forward scatter detector (photodiode) and two (2) photomultiplier tubes (PMT) for side scatter and/or fluorescence (selectable). Including power supplies and EMC shielded preamplifiers.

--Data acquisition: full pulse digitizing electronics (4MHz) and realtime capturing of all detector output signal courses for morphological particle analysis (nano- and micro plankton).

--Power interface board for computer control of opt/mechanical components

--M&M: User operation and maintenance manual; set of user inspection and maintenance materials.

In addition to these, the cytometer must also include a computer and software (including all user licenses), polarization capabilities in the measurement set, extra fluorescence detectors for phytoplankton, amplification and control circuitry and software that switches between normal and pico level for the same set of detectors, mounting equipment for ship deployment, capable of submerged operation down to 200 meters, an underwater cable solution for remote powering and control/data retrieval of the instrument, an ability to image in flow all particles, a second laser to avoid interference from fluorescence in polarization measurement, and a heavy duty flight case for transporting and shipping for field exercises.