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Eclipse™ AF4 (Field-Flow-Fractionation)



The Eclipse™ 3+ represents Wyatt Technology‘s fourth generation AF4 system and is the market-leading separation system using the Asymmetric-Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4 or FFF) technique.

The Eclipse™ integrates easily with Wyatt’s Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) instruments: DAWN®, miniDAWN™, as well as the Optilab™ rEX. The combined system provides absolute size and molar mass distributions of the particles/molecules separated by the AF4 unit. The combined system solves the most difficult sizing tasks in the macromolecular and colloidal arenas. Its resolution is similar to sedimentation equilibrium, but it surpasses even this benchmark-sizing tool when one considers its flexibility, speed, and ease of use.





Typical Applications:


The Eclipse™ 3+ is invaluable and indispensable in key areas of research and development in molecular biology, nanotechnology, and environmental analyses, including the separation and characterization of proteins and aggregates, liposomes, emulsions, viral particles, polysaccharides, nanoparticles, polymer latex particles, colloidal soil suspensions, humic substances, chemical mechanical polishing slurries (CMP), and more.



Advantages of the Asymmetric-Flow Field-Flow-Fractionation (AF4) Technique:

  • Separates both soluble and colloidal components over a wide size range; especially unmatched powers in sub-micrometer range
  • Large dynamic range: from a few nanometers to a few micrometers
  • Rapid analysis: typically 10 to 30 minutes
  • Absence of shearing forces (no stationary phase; separation takes part in separation channel)
  • Ultra-high resolution separations, comparable to ultra centrifugation
  • Simplifies analysis by eliminating many time-consuming sample preparation steps
  • Adjustable and flexible separation ability: very efficient for complex samples
  • Direct injection: minimal sample preparation necessary
  • Interfaces with modern analytical methods like MALS, MALDI-TOF, etc.
  • Fractions can be collected and used for off-line analysis (with electron microscopy, MS, ELISA etc.)


The Eclipse™ 3+ is the world's most advanced AF4 system!

  • Fully automated, software controlled system with only one pump to generate detector flow, cross flow and injection flow. This innovative concept to generate all three flow streams from one main flow has been a breakthrough for the AF4 method!
  • One chassis contains all necessary electronic and fluid components, designed to stack with Wyatt Technology detectors (DAWN, Optilab, ViscoStar)
  • Eclipse Chassis can be ordered in three versions: for aqueous solvents (biocompatible), for organic solvents and in a metal-free version
  • The Eclipse integrates into various market-leading HPLC packages, such as Agilent and Shimadzu.
  • Independent, continuous measurement of the cross-flow and injection flow rate, which allows software controlled check on the system performance
  • Motor driven, software controlled needle valves for focus balance and injection flow rate control
  • Proprietary pressure sensor without dead-volume provides continuous read-out of channel pressure
  • High performance electronic controller inside the chassis (PLC- programmable logic controller) with TCP/IP communication to PC
  • Optimized lay-out of fluid connections minimizes tubing length and ensures easier serviceability
  • Eclipse chassis and electronics are protected against fluid damage through customized drip-pan with leak sensor
  • LCD-Display with system status information
  • CE classification surpasses laboratory standards for safety and emission and reaches industry grade
  • The Eclipse 3+ is certified by TÜV Rheinland!

 


Eclipse™ 3+ Channel Design:

  • Most variable separation channel technology!
  • There are four different channel geometries available to accommodate different requirements for sample load, analysis time, and resolution:
    Mini Channel (MC, 110 mm length), Short Channel (SC 145 mm length), Long Channel (LC, 275 mm length), Semi-Preparative Channel (SP, 45 mm width, 275 mm length) 
  • Wide choice of spacers and pre-cut membranes available for all channel geometries



Complete set-up for an Eclipse™ AF4-MALS system:

The Eclipse™ instrument consists of the controller chassis plus the separation channel and integrates easily with Wyatt’s Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) instruments: DAWN®, miniDAWN™, as well as the Optilab™ rEX. The combined system provides absolute size and molar mass distributions of the particles/molecules separated by the AF4 unit. The Eclipse™ software control is integrated in Agilent ChemStation or Shimadzu LC Solution Software. The Agilent or Shimadzu HPLC instruments are placed on a second stack on the left hand side.





The Interior of Eclipse 3+

Inside the Eclipse chassis, the electronic controllers, power supplies, and all fluid control elements are protected and do not need to be accessed by the user. Only the finest components have been selected, including electronic controllers that have been used for years in the toughest industrial environments. The rugged design and shielded system enclosure ensure state-of-the-art performance and long-term reliability.

The Eclipse has proven to meet the hightest standards of instrument performance that is required in the pharmaceutical industry. All major pharmaceutical companies rely on the Eclipse for research and quality control of biopharmaceuticals! Top research institutions and universities around the world use the Eclipse, producing publications that can be found in the best journals.

 


Eclipse™ Software

  • The Eclipse software control is integrated in Agilent ChemStation or Shimadzu LC Solution Software.
  • The Eclipse Optimizer - an indispensable tool for the method development - allows the user to enter all relevant parameters: the resulting separation is immediately shown, including the effect of band broadening and dilution of the sample at the channel outlet.
  • Click here for more information about the Eclipse Software.


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Wyatt Technology is the world leader in providing the most advanced macromolecular and nanoparticle characterization tools. These instruments and software may be used to determine the absolute molecular weight and or size of macromolecules and nanoparticles and include: multi-angle light scattering, dynamic light scattering, high through-put dynamic light scattering, field flow fractionation, refractive index and viscometry detection.