MicroTester

Micro-scale mechanical testing you can see AND believe

The MicroTester is a micro-scale mechanical test system that does what others can’t. Smaller specimens, better force resolution, easier test setups, and great visuals. Applications include small tissue samples, hydrogel microspheres, cell spheroids, and engineered microtissues. It is available in 2 versions to meet your specific needs:

MT G2

Compression, tension, bending, indentation, and shear testing test modes
Highest level precision using Piezo-electric actuators with 0.1µm resolution
Optional second axis imaging
Force resolution down to 10nN
High resolution CCD imaging
Integrated temperature-controlled media bath
Fully featured user interface software for simple, cyclic, relaxation, and multi-modal testing with real-time feedback

MT LT

Compression, tension, bending and indentation test modes
Affordable pricing for a wide range of applications and users
Good level precision using Stepper Motor actuators with 1µm resolution
Force resolution down to 10nN
High resolution CCD imaging
Integrated temperature-controlled media bath
Fully featured user interface software for simple, cyclic, relaxation, and multi-modal testing with real-time feedback

What Our Customers Are Saying

Don’t just take it from us, let our customers do the talking!

Our lab focuses on micro and nanoscale 3D-printing of soft hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. The MicroTester is a unique device capable of accurately testing our 3D-printed scaffolds where other methods have fallen short. The software provided is easy to use and provides flexibility for the diverse needs of our lab

Justin Liu, PHD Candidate

Shaochen Chen Lab, University of California San Diego

CellScale MicroTester represents a unique opportunity to perform mechanical assays in cell spheroids together with a versatile optical system. We also have a great experience with CellScale’s customer support. See publication: Delivery of Human Adipose Stem Cells Spheroids into Lockyballs.

Prof. Leandra S. Baptista

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Specimens & Mounting

Parallel Plate Compression Specimen: 300µm hydrogel microsphere (30KPa) Peak Force: 20mN

Cantilever Bend Specimen: 20µm thick by 4mm wide foil strip (70MPa) Peak Force: 3mN

Parallel Plate Compression Specimen: 2mm diameter hydrogel cylinder (12KPa) Peak Force: 20mN

Spherical Indentation Specimen: 1.5mm diameter indenter into hydrogel (2KPa) Peak Force: 12mN

Bend-Induced Tension Specimen: spider silk Peak Force: 2mN

Puncture-Attached Tension Specimen: 3.5mm wide by 1.5mm thick hydrogel (0.5KPa) Peak Force: 1.4mN

Videos

MicroScale Mechanical Testing Examples

Muscle Tissue Testing at Kent State

Hydrogel Tension Test

Mechanical Testing of Soft Gels

Cell Spheroid Testing at Georgia Tech

MicroTester Instructional Overview

Micro-Tissue testing in Brazil

Hydrogel MicroSphere Compression Test Demonstration

Zebrafish Embryo Cell Spheroid Compression Testing

TECHNICAL INFO

	MTG2	MTLT
Dimensions	56 X 14 X 24cm	52 X 17 X 21cm
Weight	9kg	6.5kg
Force Capacity	500mN	500mN
Available Force Transducers	0.005, 0.02, 0.08, 0.2, 1, 5, 25, 100, 500mN	0.005, 0.02, 0.08, 0.2, 1, 5, 25, 100, 500mN
Force Accuracy	Approx. 0.2% of transducer capacity	Approx. 0.2% of transducer capacity
Maximum Grip Separation	Approx. 10mm	Approx. 10mm
Maximum Velocity	5mm/s	5mm/s
Maximum Cycle Frequency	0.1Hz	0.1Hz
Maximum Data Rate	5Hz	5Hz
Actuator Technology	Piezo-electric Motor	Stepper Motor
Actuator Resolution	0.1um	1um
Range of Field of View	0.4-11.0mm	0.8-5.5mm
Vertical Image Resolution	2048px	1536px
Secondary Camera Option	Yes	No
Secondary Test Axis Option (Shear)	Yes	No