Sheet 03 · Design

openQCM NEXTDesigned to shed heat.

openQCM NEXT was developed with the intention of maximizing thermal dissipation. The innovative design optimizes the device for research applications — the result of valuable feedback gathered from the scientific community.

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openQCM NEXT — mechanical design and quartz crystal microbalance header

The brief

A bridge built to dissipate.

The distinctive bridge design aims to optimize thermal dissipation and minimize electrical interferences. The sensor module has been upgraded with a custom heat sink featuring an integrated PTFE slot that houses the fluidic module — the primary holder for the quartz sensors, designed also as a multi-purpose accessory.

Thermal map of the openQCM NEXT heat sink showing heat dissipation across the sensor module — Fig. 1 — Heat-sink thermal map

Fluidic module

More than a simple holder.

The fluidic module is the real core of openQCM NEXT. It consists of two metal parts: the bottom part, made of flash chrome-plated aluminum, is in direct contact with the Peltier element; the top part is a flash chrome-plated aluminium shell with a PTFE fluidic core inside. All other materials are specifically selected to provide the widest range of chemical compatibility. The fluidic circuit is engraved directly inside the PTFE core, so incoming fluid is thermalized more efficiently.

The fluidic module is designed as a plug-and-play accessory that can be easily unplugged for “out of the device” treatments, such as ultrasonic baths, thermal baking, and so forth.

The standard fluidic module of openQCM NEXT: the flash chrome-plated shell with the openQCM mark, two fluid ports and two slotted nuts — Fig. 2 — Standard fluidic module, closed: plug-and-play

The underside of an openQCM NEXT fluidic module: the chrome-plated base with the contact pads that meet the pins in the heat-sink slot — Fig. 3 — The underside, common to every module

Modules

One slot, several experiments.

Standard fluidic module

PTFE core with the channel engraved inside; ~50 µl chamber; FKM (Viton) O-ring. Included with the instrument.

Optical module

The flow cell with a fused-silica window, 7 mm across, embedded in the PTFE core: spectroscopy or Raman on the same surface the QCM weighs. Details below.

Pipetting module

An open PTFE core for direct access to the sensor: pipette a few microlitres onto the crystal, close the lid, measure. Details below.

Electrochemistry module

EQCM cell on the NEXT: still an experimental prototype.

Optical module

A window on the surface the QCM weighs.

The optical module opens the fluidic chamber to light. A fused-silica (SiO₂) window sits over the crystal, so the same surface that the QCM weighs can be read by UV-visible spectroscopy, Raman and other optical probes, or simply watched. With the module in the heat sink the chamber keeps flowing and stays thermostated, and the optical path reaches the sensor from above.

The window is embedded directly in the PTFE core, with no glue or other chemical: nothing in the chamber but PTFE, silica, the O-ring and the crystal. Below, the chrome-plated aluminium base carries the proximity electronics and the 10 kΩ thermistor that closes the temperature loop, exactly as in the standard module, so the optical module plugs into the same slot and is read by the same software.

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openQCM NEXT optical module, closed: the anodised shell with the silica window over the crystal and the two fluid ports — Fig. 4 — Optical module, closed: the window over the crystal

openQCM NEXT optical module, opened: the chrome-plated base with the crystal on its spring contacts, the PTFE core with the window and the O-ring inside the shell, and the two slotted nuts — Fig. 5 — Optical module, opened

Transmittance of the optical module window from 200 to 1000 nm: above 92% from 320 nm, about 95% across the visible and near infrared, falling below 250 nm — Fig. 6 — Transmittance of the window, 200–1000 nm

Facts

Optical module, in facts

Window: Fused silica (SiO₂), Ø 7 mm, 3 mm thick
Mounting: Embedded in the PTFE core, no glue or adhesive
Transmittance: 92% at 326 nm, about 95% from 400 to 1000 nm; UV cut-off below 250 nm
Base: Flash chrome-plated aluminium, with the proximity electronics and a 10 kΩ thermistor for the temperature loop
Shell: Anodised aluminium, PTFE core inside
Seal: FKM (Viton) O-ring
Chamber: Flow cell with two fluid ports, thermostated by the Peltier element like the standard module
Works with: UV-visible spectroscopy, Raman, microscopy or a camera; check for trapped bubbles before measuring
Store: SKU OPEN-NEXT-OPT-MOD, usually ships in 3 days
Status: Custom-built R&D kit for research use in the laboratory; not CE marked

Pipetting module

Direct access to the sensor.

The pipetting module replaces the closed flow cell with an open PTFE core: the crystal is reached directly from above. Tilt the heat sink to horizontal, pipette a few microlitres onto the sensor surface, close the small lid and measure. It is the module for evaporation studies, for samples too scarce or too viscous to pump, for casting a film and following it as it dries, and for reactions started by exposing the surface to the room, a gas or a reagent.

The PTFE core tolerates aggressive liquids and solvents. It sits in an anodised aluminium shell that improves the thermal contact and shields the sensor from electromagnetic interference; the chrome-plated base below is the same as in the other modules, with the proximity electronics and the 10 kΩ thermistor, so temperature control is kept. The parts come apart for cleaning.

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openQCM NEXT pipetting module: the blue anodised shell with the open PTFE well over the crystal — Fig. 7 — Pipetting module: the open well over the crystal

The lid of the openQCM NEXT pipetting module sliding into the shell, with its O-ring — Fig. 8 — The lid, against evaporation

Facts

Pipetting module, in facts

Access: Open PTFE core: the sensor is reached directly from above
Sample: A few microlitres pipetted onto the crystal; designed for the lowest possible volume
Lid: Closes the well to limit evaporation and steady the measurement
Base: Flash chrome-plated aluminium, with the proximity electronics and a 10 kΩ thermistor for the temperature loop
Shell: Anodised aluminium: thermal contact and electromagnetic shielding
Seal: FKM (Viton) O-ring
Fasteners: Two M2.5 slotted round nuts (DIN 546), A4 marine stainless steel
Chemistry: PTFE core suited to aggressive substances and solvents; disassembles for cleaning
Position: Heat sink tilted to horizontal
Store: SKU OPEN-NEXT-PIP-MOD, usually ships in 3 days
Status: Custom-built R&D kit for research use in the laboratory; not CE marked