FlowCam 8400 is a flow imaging microscope designed specifically for water quality research. It delivers high-precision detection of microorganisms and algae, including red tide and cyanobacteria, while its color camera enables accurate identification and produces vivid, detailed image data. With its unique combination of a color camera and purpose-built design — a capability not offered by other companies — FlowCam 8400 has been widely adopted in aquatic research and continues to drive advancements in water quality research.
Captured images (from left): Anabaena・Microcystis, Anabaena, Microcystis
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Specialized Design for Water Quality Research
- Optimized for detecting aquatic microorganisms and algae such as red tide and cyanobacteria
- Widely adopted for water quality research and monitoring applications
Reliable Detection with Triggered Laser
- Accurately captures target microorganisms for high-precision analysis
- Designed to detect even rare or very small species without omission
Clear Visualization with Color Camera
- Equipped with a color camera exclusive to FlowCam, not found in competing instruments
- Enhanced accuracy in microorganism identification with vivid color imaging
Easy Operation & Flexible Use
- Simple autofocus shortens setup time
- Automation ensures reproducible measurements
Details
What is Flow Imaging Microscope - FlowCam?
FlowCam is a flow imaging microscope that integrates three powerful functions into a single instrument, enabling anyone to easily perform particle analysis:
(1) Visualize fluids under a microscope in real time.
(2) Rapidly capture particles in liquid samples, generating high-resolution digital images and instantly measuring more than 30 morphological parameters for each particle.
(3) Extract, analyze, and classify particle images with the industry-leading VisualSpreadsheet software.
Flow Imaging vs Other Particle Analysis Methods
Challenges and Needs in Particle Analysis
Particle characterization is a critical process across many fields, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, water quality, and advanced materials. Traditional methods typically provide only quantitative data such as particle size and concentration. However, they often fail to answer essential questions like:
What types of particles are actually present?
What is the identity of foreign particles or contaminants?
Today, there is a growing demand for “visualizing particles” — not only obtaining numerical data, but also capturing detailed images that reveal particle shape and structure. This visual information has become increasingly important for ensuring product quality, safety, and research insights.
Comparison of Methods
|
|
Optical Microscopy |
Particle Size Analysis |
Flow Cytometric Analysis |
Flow Imaging Microscopy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Features |
Easy, intuitive operation; flexible observation |
Measures large numbers of particles statistically |
Strong for fluorescence markers and multi-parameter analysis |
Automatically captures and analyzes images of each particle |
|
Information Obtained |
Images, shapes | Particle size, volume distribution | Size, fluorescence intensity | Images, size, shape, color |
|
Limitations |
Dependent on observer, poor quantification, time-consuming |
No information on shape or type, no images |
Non-image analysis, cannot visualize particle shape or structure |
Produces large amounts of data (but highly valuable for classification and detailed analysis) |
Particle Measurement Size by Method
While each analytical technique has its own strengths, Flow Imaging Microscopy sets itself apart by capturing and analyzing images of every individual particle. This unique capability provides both quantitative data and visual confirmation, enabling more accurate characterization and deeper insights.
What FlowCam Makes Possible
FlowCam is an innovative imaging particle analysis system that combines the strengths of a light microscope and a flow cytometer. Each particle is rapidly captured in real time, providing both quantitative data (size, shape, volume) and visual confirmation. Unlike traditional particle size analyzers, FlowCam enables detailed characterization of particle morphology and composition.
Basic parameters: area, length, width, aspect ratio, Equivalent Spherical Diameter (ESD), Area-Based Diameter (ABD), volume, etc.
Morphological features: circularity, elongation, compactness, fiber curl, straightness, perimeter, edge gradient, etc.
Grayscale & color features: brightness, mean intensity, transparency, average values (blue, green, red), and color ratios (blue/green ratio, red/blue ratio, red/green ratio, etc.)
User Feedback
“Particles considered the same size by particle size analyzers were shown by FlowCam to differ in both shape and composition.”
“Since introducing FlowCam, we can identify the root cause of manufacturing contaminants much faster.”
“Aggregates that were often overlooked in manual observation are now instantly visualized through automated analysis.”
FlowCam makes previously hidden particle characteristics visible, supporting better decisions and faster actions compared to traditional methods.
Application Examples (Water Quality & Environment)
FlowCam provides superior detection of harmful cyanobacteria and red tide species, enabling quick identification of environmental changes. In models equipped with a color camera, additional color information allows monitoring of algal culture conditions.
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Water Supply
|
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Algal Cultures
|
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Marine & Freshwater Surveys
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Laser Specifications
| Laser | Excitation Wavelengths: Blue: 488nm、40mW output Green: 532nm、40mW output Red: 633nm、40mW output |
|---|---|
| Fluorescence Excitation and Detection | Single excitation wavelength, dual-channel detection Selectable combinations are as follows: ・488nm excitation Detection Ch1:650nm LP (Chlorophyll) / Ch2:525nm±15nm (FITC) ・532nm excitation Detection Ch1:650nm LP (Chlorophyll) / Ch2:575nm±30nm(Phycoerythrin) ・633nm excitation Detection Ch1:700nm±10nm (Chlorophyll) / Ch2:650nm±10nm(Phycocyanin)/td> |
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