How to use piston pipettes

Life science research has grown significantly in the 21st century. Every year, several significant discoveries are made. Each month, thousands of original research papers are published by scientists. Although there are many causes for this growth trajectory, this article focuses on one frequently overlooked factor.

The inexpensive piston pipette that can be found on many lab workbenches has greatly aided in streamlining research workflows. This article will follow the development of the piston pipette, and highlighted how air displacement pipettes from CAPP can assist users in enhancing their research outcomes.

Piston Pipettes: A brief history

Life science labs have not always used piston pipettes as frequently as they do now. For a large portion of modern scientific history, scientists pipetted by mouth. In the middle of the 20th century, a German scientist from Marburg changed this. Heinrich Schnitger created the first piston pipette by altering a syringe.

Manufacturers like CAPP have worked to increase the accuracy and precision of piston pipettes since they first introduced this straightforward air displacement pipette. Modern piston pipettes have fueled the modern era’s expansion of the life sciences.

Air Displacement Pipettes: The basics

Air displacement pipettes are the most typical type of contemporary piston pipette. Pipettes used for air displacement have a piston that is housed inside the pipette assembly. An air cushion is used to separate the plunger from the liquid that is to be transferred. 

This cushion will shield samples from contamination if the user has a good pipetting technique. In early piston pipettes, the air cushion would be affected by changes in the environment (i.e., humidity, temperature, etc.). Modern air displacement pipettes from CAPP can be used with high precision and accuracy in a variety of settings. Air displacement pipettes are also inexpensive and widely accessible.

Positive displacement: Piston Pipettes for the demanding times

Positive displacement technology is used by some piston pipettes to transfer liquids. Positive displacement pipettes are excellent for transferring viscous liquids, despite the fact that they are not frequently used for the majority of lab work. The disposable tips of positive displacement piston pipettes contain the piston.

In this instance, the piston and the liquid being transferred are in direct contact. Positive displacement pipettes are a fantastic option for working with corrosive chemicals and viscous liquids. However, air displacement pipettes are preferable for the majority of liquids handled in contemporary laboratories.

Choosing the best Piston Pipette

Given the wide variety of options available on the market today, choosing the best piston pipette can be difficult. At CAPP, the hard work has already been done so that users can focus on their research while CAPP innovates the tools. All CAPP piston pipettes are created to adhere to the strict quality standards of ISO 8655 regulations.

Several air displacement pipettes and a positive displacement piston pipette for challenging liquids are also part of the CAPP portfolio. The pipettes from CAPP make it easier for users to extract their data more quickly.

In the next section, a brief overview of CAPP’s extensive range of air displacement pipettes and positive displacement piston pipettes will be outlined.

CAPPBravo: The ergonomic Air Displacement Pipette

When using piston pipettes frequently, researchers are more likely to sustain repetitive strain injuries at work. CAPPBravo air displacement pipettes reduce the possibility of RSI with their lightweight construction and ergonomic features. The featherlight plunger helps you apply less force to the piston pipette.

Additionally, a metal shaft and double O-rings are present on the CAPPBravo air displacement pipettes’ smaller volume models. With the aid of these features, CAPPBravo air displacement pipettes can maintain their accuracy for longer periods of time and are resistant to unintentional and deliberate wear and tear.

CAPPBravo automatic piston pipettes are available in variable volume and fixed volume options.

Ecopipette: An eco-friendly Piston Pipette

The most eco-friendly manual air displacement pipettes are those from CAPP's Ecopipette line. This “green” air displacement pipette is made with a longer lifespan in mind. Piston pipettes are disposed of less frequently as a result of Ecopipette’s increased lifespan. This air displacement pipette is also packaged in biodegradable materials.

Exchangeable volume counter mechanisms are another feature of Ecopipette air displacement pipettes. This piston pipette’s cutting-edge counter mechanisms offer unmatched convenience and adaptability.

CAPPSolo: The everyday Piston Pipette

The CAPPSolo range of air displacement pipettes was designed for reliable everyday use. This range’s single-channel and multichannel piston pipettes are all dependable and reasonably priced. Air displacement pipettes made by CAPPSolo are designed to maintain their accuracy and precision for longer.

Users no longer need to worry about calibrating the air displacement pipettes every other week. Air displacement pipettes made by CAPPSolo have exceptional chemical and bump resistance. These piston pipettes are perfect for environments with multiple tenants because they have color-coded plungers.

CAPPTrio: Three-in-one piston pipettes

CAPPTrio is the only air displacement pipette in the world with many interchangeable fixed volumes. With this cutting-edge piston pipette, users will have access to three air displacement pipettes in one device. Simply remove the detachable volume knob and insert a different one to adjust the volume.

The CAPPTrio piston pipette provides more flexibility with this straightforward volume-changing mechanism. This unique air displacement pipette offers custom knobs in addition to regular volume knobs. For additional flexibility, a variable volume pipette can be added to the CAPPTrio piston pipette.

How to use piston pipettes

CAPPTrio Single Channel. Image Credit: AHN Biotechnologie GmbH

How to use piston pipettes

CAPPSolo Single Channel Pipettes. Image Credit: AHN Biotechnologie GmbH

How to use piston pipettes

CAPPSolo Multichannel Pipettes. Image Credit: AHN Biotechnologie GmbH

CAPP Microbiology pipette: A powerful Air Displacement Pipette

CAPP Microbiology pipettes defy convention by handling viscous liquids even though the majority of air displacement pipettes are not designed to. These strong piston pipettes have no trouble handling liquids like yogurt, cream, and cosmetics.

The three fixed volume knobs on CAPP Microbiology air displacement pipettes are created for the most common pipetting volumes. The CAPP Microbiology pipette is a straw pipette, in contrast to the majority of other air displacement pipettes. This enables users to easily and comfortably pipette food or cosmetics.

How to use piston pipettes

CAPPMicrobiology Pipette. Image Credit: AHN Biotechnologie GmbH

CAPPAero: Innovative multichannel Air Displacement Pipettes

If the word “groundbreaking” ever defined piston pipettes, it would best apply to CAPPAero air displacement pipettes. CAPPAero multichannel pipettes go where no other pipette brands dare to explore. The CAPPAero range of multichannel piston pipettes has industry-leading channel options that help users achieve more, faster.

Scientists that work with 96 well plates will enjoy the flexibility of CAPPAero 8 and 12-channel piston pipettes. For those labs processing samples in 384 well plates, CAPPAero 16, 24, 32, 48, and 64 channel air displacement pipettes are a great option. CAPPAero air displacement pipettes also feature a unique, ergonomic tip ejection lever that does away with sore thumb overload.

CappAero384® Multichannel Pipettes

CappAero384® Multichannel Pipettes. Video Credit: AHN Biotechnologie GmbH

CappAero® Removable Plungers

CappAero® Removable Plungers. Video Credit: AHN Biotechnologie GmbH

CappAero64 MultiPipette

CappAero64 MultiPipette. Video Credit: AHN Biotechnologie GmbH

CAPPMaestro: Innovative single-channel electronic Piston Pipettes

The CAPPMaestro single-channel piston pipette is a modern air displacement pipette with a full-color display. 

The stunning OLED display has a high refresh rate that uses very little power for a longer-lasting performance.

The CAPPMaestro piston pipette’s user-friendly digital interface allows users to save their pipetting protocols. It only takes two quick and easy clicks on the piston pipette to change protocols. The CAPPMaestro air displacement pipette has a very long battery life thanks to a lithium-ion battery.

CAPPTronic: Electronic multichannel Air Displacement Pipette at a bargain

Multichannel air displacement pipettes from CAPPTronic have been designed for speed and accuracy to speed up microplate workflows. Using this inventive piston pipette is as simple as reading a single-sided manual to get started. For quicker liquid transfer, CAPPTronic digital multichannel piston pipettes can store up to nine pipetting protocols.

Reverse pipetting, multiple dispensing, sequential dispensing, and mixing are all possible with this versatile air displacement pipette. Fast and comfortable pipetting is made possible by the lightweight chassis and long-lasting lithium battery.

About AHN Biotechnologie GmbH

AHN Biotechnologie GmbH, based in Nordhausen, Germany, is a manufacturer of plastic injection molded products, life science products and laboratory consumables for worldwide laboratory use.

With over 20 years’ manufacturing experience in serving German and global leaders in the Laboratory Automation Industry, we have been acting as a global OEM manufacturer of consumables for many outstanding life science brands and distributors. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility meets and exceeds the rigorous standards and quality requirements of the best-known brands we supply.

At the same time, we are strengthening our three associated brands: CAPP, AHN and Maxxline by producing and supplying a comprehensive range of consumables, liquid handling devices and laboratory equipment. Our unique combination of flexibility, innovation and high-quality production automation ensures that our laboratory products meet the needs of customers worldwide and meet their high-quality requirements.

With our expertise in manufacturing laboratory consumables and the state-of-the-art electric injection molding technology that offers faster production turnaround time and sustainable quality products, we achieve the best value for money that meets the strict standards of the modern laboratory industry.

Sustainability is built into every part of our production flow and is reflected in all our products, such as the plastic-saving pipette tip refill systems, the cardboard racks for pipette tips or cryovials.


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Last updated: Jan 17, 2023 at 11:02 AM

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