| The sample retention system used by the NanoDrop® ND-3300 Fluorospectrometer enables analysis of extremely small sample volumes (1-2 ul) without the use of cuvettes or capillaries. Preparing the instrument for another measurement simply involves cleaning the sample off with an ordinary lab wipe. The system saves on expenses associated with disposables as well as on time and effort spent cleaning quartz cuvettes. |
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With the apparatus arm open, a droplet of sample is pipetted onto the measurement pedestal. |
| When the apparatus is closed, the sample arm slightly compresses the droplet and a liquid column is drawn. Surface tension alone holds the sample in place for the spectral measurement. The spectral measurement is then made and quantification is made based a sample length of 1mm. |
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When the measurement is complete, the apparatus arm is opened and the sample is simply wiped from both the upper bushing and lower pedestal using an ordinary dry laboratory wipe. |
| Since the sample is not contained in a secondary vessel, the sample directly wets the system optics, reducing the variations resulting from changing and/or repositioning cuvettes. When the sample is removed, the optics can be easily cleaned making it possible to measure successive sample concentrations varying by more than 1000 fold in concentration with no carryover. |
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The Technology 
