KRYOFLEX II

Data on most single crystal samples is typically collected at temperatures in the range 100 degrees Kelvin to 200 degrees Kelvin by bathing the crystal in a cold gas stream. For biological macromolecules, this cryo-crystallography has dramatically reduced radiation damage to the sample by reducing diffusion within the crystal. A complete data set can often be collected on a single sample at low temperature, compared to the frustrating need for many crystals at room temperature, and the consequent errors in scaling data from multiple samples. Further, crystals can be screened in the home laboratory and stored at cryogenic temperatures until a suitable data collection time at home or at a remote synchrotron.

For both small molecules and biological macromolecules, the data at low temperature is usually better than at room temperature because the thermal motion of the atoms in the crystal is reduced. Sample handling is simpler for air-sensitive compounds or crystals suffering from solvent loss, since they are protected by the cold gas stream instead of having to mount these samples in a capillary. Background scatter from the capillary walls is eliminated, improving the signal to noise. Cryoloops make it possible to scoop up very thin plates or fibers from their protective solution and freeze them in place in the cold gas stream.

The KRYOFLEX II Low Temperature device permits crystallographic studies at controlled temperatures by enveloping a crystal samples in low temperature nitrogen gas. The low temperature device addresses the need to handle delicate samples and to obtain more accurate structural data.

Highly stable temperature control with greatly reduced liquid nitrogen consumption. It can be run at low temperature uninterrupted for weeks because of the automatic refill of the local 60 liter Dewar. Ice formation is avoided at the sample by shielding the cold gas stream with gas at ambient temperature.

Featurea a lone 3000 mm flexible insulated stainless steel transfer line allowing it to be mounted easily on different instruments having sealed tube or rotating anode generator.

A digital temperature controller and GUI software interface makes it easy to set or change the sample temperature.