Kibron MicroTroughX - performance to your surface chemistry research

All-in-one, compact, and truly portable

MicroTroughX is a universal and compact device, from a Langmuir trough to many other instruments, allowing for a wide range of applications and chemistry experiments (see applications)

The compact size and light weight (only 3,5 kg) allows you to take the MicroTroughX in use practically anywhere. The instrument is fast and easy to install, being ready for operation in only 5 minutes. Troughs for different applications can be switched within a minute.

The MicroTroughX is insensitive to vibrations and can thus be used in a standard laboratory without a vibration isolation table.

MicroTroughXL has an extended (Precision Plus) trough area compared to standard MicroTroughXS

For studying kinetics, the subphase can be magnetically stirred. If needed, these measurements can also be made in a protecting gas atmosphere.

Kibron microbalance: unparalled sensitivity and signal stability

Kibron microbalance has unmatched sensitivity, resolution better than 0.2 micrograms, making our troughs superior to those from our competitors. This allows to monitor surface pressure and measure compression isotherms with sensitivity better than 0,01 mN/m.

The high level of sensitivity allows to detect even minor and fast real-time changes in surface pressure, without the need of a signal integration and averaging.

The core technology allows the use of small diameter wire probes instead of Willhelmy plates, without sacrifying the sensitivity. Importantly, we do NOT use filter papers in our system.

Small subphase volumes

The thin wire probes and ultrasensitive microbalance allow the use of very small subphase volumes; only 300 microliters for surface tension measurements and 20 ml for recording surface potential of a monolayer during a compression isotherm.

The small subphase volumes allow for excellent mixing of contents and thermostation.

The small volumes require reduced material consumption, important when studying rare and costly samples such as expensive peptides, proteins or other biomaterials.

MicroTroughX allows the deposition of Langmuir Blodgett films on very small substrates.

Modular construction

The MicroTroughX construction is open and fully modular allowing the user for maximum flexibility in designing specific experiments.

From a Langmuir trough to a standard tensiometer or surface potential recorder - when your requirements change you can easily upgrade and add more modules to your existing MicroTroughX, accessories can be changed in a snap.

The open construction allows also for design and addition of your own accessories

Kibron MicroSpot: high resolution recording of surface potential

MicroSpot is a plug-and-play accessory for recording surface potential of monolayers. Similarly to the Kibron micobalance it has superior sensitivity, excellent signal/noise ratio and real time resolution better than 1 mV! Kibron is setting the standards for Langmuir-troughs.

Smooth and accurate barrier motion

MicroTroughX's motion control system for the barriers uses microstepping motor, allowing for very smooth and accurately controlled movement.

The exact positioning of the barriers allows to determine the area per molecule more accurately.

The smooth motion of the barriers prevents the formation of metastable films, which causes erroneous results when comparing surface structure.

High precision, affordable troughs

The plates are made of high purity PTFE and special metal alloy, minimizing the area of contact between PTFE and the aqueous subphase. This means accurate results and maximal reproducibility.

User friendly software

All MicroTroughX measurements are computer controlled.

The software is extremely user friendly offering advanced users for powerful graphics as well as first-time users for an effortless start with immediate and total control of MicroTroughX.

MicrotroughX, the first miniaturized Langmuir-trough, was introduced already in 1998 and has since then been imitated by our competitors. Yet, when you compare the key properties critical for performance, balance sensitivity and choice of materials, you will understand why Kibron stands out as the unchallenged leader, setting new standards in surface chemistry instrumentation.