Magnetic Stirrers: Uses & Types

What is a Magnetic Stirrer?

A magnetic stirrer is a device that uses a rotating magnetic field to make a stir bar immersed in liquid to help in mixing any solution. A rotating magnetic field can be created using a rotating magnet with another rotating field beneath the vessel or stationary electromagnets. This type of equipment is one of the most user-friendly for preparing mixtures. The primary function of magnetic stirrers is to agitate liquids to speed up reactions or enhance mixtures. Magnetic Stirrers are commonly used in chemistry and biology experiments for sample preparation and analysis.

To avoid interference with the magnetic field, these stirrers should be used with glass or other non-metal beakers.
A magnetic stirring system usually includes a hot plate for heating the liquid and for maintaining the required conditions for the mixing solution

Magnetic stirrers have various technical parameters that can be controlled, such as the temperature of the magnetic hot plate that heats the liquid, the speed of the rotating stirrer, and the time duration.

 

Types of Magnetic Stirrers:

Mini Magnetic Stirrers:

Mini stirrers are small and take up little space, quiet in operations with low vibration making them convenient to use. It is resistant to hazardous and corrosive chemicals in the lab. You can also control the speed so that it does not exceed the maximum speed.

 

Magnetic Stirrer with Timer:

This stirrer, as the name implies, has a built-in timer setting that allows us to control the set conditions for a specific amount of time. It automatically switches off the rotations when the timer runs out.

 

Heavy Duty Magnetic Stirrer:

Heavy Duty Magnetic Stirrer has high mixing capacity and chemical resistance. There is an electronic management device built-in that automatically regulates the speed in comparison to the load. Heavy Duty Magnetic Stirrer may be the best choice instrument for both laboratory and production use.

 

Battery operated Magnetic Stirrer:

Batter Operated Magnetic Stirrers are ideal for field use, incubators, or anywhere else when the electricity is unavailable. They are also lightweight and portable.

 

Air Operated Turbine Magnetic Stirrer:

Low-pressure air is used to create magnetic stirrer rotations in air turbine magnetic stirrers.
It eliminates the risk of sparking from electrical sources. Ideal for use in areas where possibly hazardous solvent vapors exist. Air Operated Turbine Magnetic Stirrer is apt to stir solutions up to 1 liter.

Uses of Magnetic Stirrers:

  • The stir bar rotates at various speeds and may mix up to one liter of liquid.
  • The risk of contamination is reduced since only a small magnet bar that can be readily cleaned and sterilized must be placed within the sample
  • A magnetic Stirrer hot plate can be used to mix the samples for several hours or even overnight.
  • Compared to the electronic stirrers magnetic stirrers are quiet, and easy to use and they ensure high productivity and accuracy

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