Crystal16

The New Industry Standard – Crystal16 

A multi-reactor crystallizer for medium throughput solubility. The latest version has integrated transmissivity technology and enhanced analytical capabilities, in a streamlined unibody design, to reduce the time and resources consumed in crystallization experiments and analysis.

Designed by scientists for scientists

Improve and accelerate your crystallization research with the Crystal16 parallel crystallizer, the ultimate instrument for research and process development. With 16 reactors at a volume of 1mL, easily determine solubility curves and screen for crystallization conditions. The integrated transmissivity technology allows simple generation of phase diagrams ideal for a wide range of industries including pharmaceutical, chemical and agro-chemical companies.

Experience the tool being used all over the world by chemists. Designed by scientists for scientists.

All the features you’ll need

Advanced temperature features

Integrated air cooling with extended temperature range. From -20 to 150°C with all 4 block reactors in parallel.

Chiller cooling available

Chiller cooling also available within the same range of -25 to 150°C, with all 4 block reactors in parallel and an advanced temperature accuracy of 0.5°C

State-of-the-art software

New software with improved integrated research and analysis capabilities. Flexible, intuitive and user-friendly.

Ground-breaking transmissivity technology

Increased accuracy with improved particle detection at low and high concentrations.

Feedback control

Design your experiments with automated decision making. Less time to automate your processes.

Overhead and bottom stirring

Top stirring specifically developed to overcome attrition issues. Bottom stirring for your most simple experiments.

See the Crystal16 in action:

Temperature dependent solubility curves have never been easier

The Crystal16 combines automation with integrated transmissivity technology allowing the scientist to easily determine clear and cloud points resulting in solubility data and mg/ml of metastable zone width (MSZW) at an early stage. The Crystal16 can quite simply generate solubility curves for four solvents in 4 hours with less than 100 mg of material.

The increased accuracy of temperature control and the integrated transmissivity technology resulted in improved particle detection at low and high concentrations.

A powerful system for polymorph, salt & co-crystallization research

The Crystal16 is a powerful system to simply use for polymorphism, salt or co-crystal formation. Using 16 parallel reactors, you can test a wide diversity of crystallization conditions such as solvents and solvent mixtures, compound concentrations, counter-ions, temperature profiles.

The Launch of the Crystal16 V3 in 2022

Watch the recording of the launch of the Crystal16 Version 3, on 28 April 2022.

Want to know more about the Crystal16?

Advanced temperature features

  • Integrated air cooling with extended temperature range. -20 – 150°C with all 4 block reactors in parallel
  • Chiller cooling also available -25 – 150°C with all 4 block reactors in parallel
  • Advanced temperature accuracy 0.5°C

State-of-the-art software

  • New software with improved integrated research and analysis capabilities
  • Flexible, intuitive, user-friendly software

Ground-breaking transmissivity technology

  • Increased accuracy with improved particle detection at low and high concentrations.

Feedback control

  • Design your experiments with automated decision making
  • Less time to automate your process; simplify nucleation time measurements

Overhead and bottom stirring

  • Top stirring specifically developed to overcome attrition issues
  • Bottom stirring for your most simple experiments

Reactors: 16
Reactor type: Commercially available, glass
Optimal work volume (mL): 0.5 to 1.0
Temperature zones: 4
Temperature range (°C): -20 to 150
T ambient 20°C +-2°C: All 4 block reactors in parallel
Temperature accuracy (°C): 0.5
Heating rate (°C/min): 0 - 20
Cooling rate (°C/min): 0 - 20
Stirring: Overhead or stirrer bar
Stirring speed (rpm): 0 - 1250
Turbidity (%): Every reactor
Chiller optional: Required to achieve -25 to 150 in all 4 block reactors in parallel
Data export: CSV, Word report, XML
Foot print (DxWxH in cm.): 50x28x18.5 

The Crystal16® multiple-reactor system can hold 16 (4 x 4) standard HPLC glass vials (11.5 mm diameter, flat bottomed, 1.5 mL volume).

A unit contains four independently temperature controlled reactor blocks encased in a robust bench top setup, taking up only a minimum of your valuable lab space. Accurate temperature control is achieved through a combination of Peltier elements and a heater.

In order to prevent condensation on the reactor blocks and electronics during runs at temperatures below 10°C the Crystal16® system provides an inlet for a dry purge gas (typically nitrogen).

CrystalClear is a software package that helps Crystal16® users to transform data produced by the Crystal16® into valuable information, in just a few simple steps.

Step 1: Import your project data files from Crystal16® into CrystalClear

Step 2: Visualize and (optionally) edit Clear and Cloud points to one's need

Step 3: Visualize the Meta Stable Zone Width; valuable information as a foundation of a solid crystallization process

Step 4: Automatically create a final report exportable to Word

The CrystalClear software is compatible with all our instruments – CrystalBreeder, Crystal16 and Crystalline. It is flexible, intuitive, effortless to use and helps you analyze your data in no time.

  1. What is the optimal working volume?
    The optimum working volume is between 0.5 - 1.0 mL.
  2. When should I use top stirring?
    Top stirring is used to avoid attrition of fragile crystals. Additionally top stirring can be used for more efficient mixing of more viscous slurries.
  3. What is a solubility curve?
    The solubility curve has been described as a "roadmap for crystallization". It is essentially a diagram of the solubility of the solute species in the crystallization solvent over the temperature range within which crystallization will occur.
  4. What is the correct tuning procedure?
    The turbidity measurement can be tuned to clear solutions in order to make it more sensitive. The standard procedure consists in heating your sample until everything is dissolved followed by tune and cool down to 20°C. Now you are ready to start you temperature profile for clear and cloud points determination.
  5. What is the advised stirring speed?
    The advised stirring speed is between 600 – 800 rpm.
  6. What is the wavelength of the transmissivity source?
    The Peak Wavelength is red 620 nm.

More details? 
We're happy to help!

What they say about the Crystal16

Invaluable instrument in pharmaceutical process development.

  • Principal Scientist MSD
  • Lead of Crystallization Lab

The user friendly Crystal16 enables me to rapidly acquire large datasets on solubility, MSZW’s and induction times.

  • Project Leader
  • Ardena

Mandatory for any physical chemistry or solid state lab!

  • PhD Student
  • UC Louvain

Expedited solubility curve development.

  • Manager Crystallization & Chromatography Tech
  • ADM

A thorough understanding of solubility is the key to process crystallization design. The Crystal16 is an essential tool in rapidly measuring the solubility of solids in various solvents as a function of temperature and hence is an invaluable instrument in pharmaceutical process development.

  • Principal Scientist MSD
  • Lead of Crystallization Lab