The Algem PRO system incorporates LED illumination from below the flask. Every system comes with white LED (warm white), red LED (660 nm wavelength) and blue LED (465 nm wavelength) as standard. 

The light intensity range that can be achieved with the Algem PRO on each channel is:

• White: 20 microEinsteins to 2000 microEinsteins
• Red: 20 microEinsteins to 1700 microEinsteins
• Blue: 20 microEinsteins to 1000 microEinsteins

The software can be used to program blends of the lights in a very large range of scenarios as well as profiles.

There is also pulsing and flashing that can be achieved.

The Algem HT24 is white LED only with each well being able to achieve 600 microEinsteins maximum light intensity. 

Algem PRO: Minimum 350 ml, Maximum 600 ml

Algem HT24: Minimum 20 ml, Maximum 30 ml

Note: 1L Pyrex flasks and 50 ml Pyrex flasks are specified for these instruments for optical quality and clarity reasons. Do NOT mix flasks from multiple manufacturers.

Both the Algem PRO and Algem HT24 use 740nm infrared LEDs for optical density measurement. 

In both instruments, measurements are made in a non-invasive manner, through the culture flask.

Three measurements are taken back-to-back in close succession and the displayed value is the calculated average.

For the Algem PRO, the system will pause in its mxing profile for 30 seconds while the OD measurement is taken. 

The Algem HT24 does not require a pause in mixing. The main technology achievement in the HT24 is the ability to determine a reproducible and accurate optical density measurement while reading the values through a moving liquid.

The default OD measurement frequency for both instruments  is every 10 minutes but this can be set by the user in the profile set-up. 

The Algem PRO stands alone amongst its competition with regard to light and temperature calibration. 

Not only is this achieved electronically. We also test every system by growing an obligate photoautotrophic microalga, Dunaliella tertiolecta, under a specific temperature and light regime over 96 hours. Under this regime, any significant differences between output temperatures and light will be reflected by differences in growth between chambers.

Our dropin Light Calibration Tool includes 33 photodiodes and accurately maps the light field in the Algem PRO reactor chambers at all wavelengths then allows calibration of the light at three delivered and measurable levels. 

Every well of the Algem HT24 is calibrated by a similar drop-in light calibration tool. Algem HT24 systems have also been extensively tested to rule out concerns around light contamination between wells/channels and also temperature gradients across the 24 'wells' resulting from either differences in programmed light intensities of the heat source location within the incubator.

Algem PRO profile creator incorporates a geographic modelling feature that draws upon reported data that was available and published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) from roughly 33,000 weather stations positioned on land or nearshore and generally about 10 feet off the ground. 

These stations measured actual air temperatures between about 1933 and 2008. The values were extracted from the database with a 1 degree longitudinal and latitudinal resolution equating to between 50 to 100 km resolution.

Light incidence was determined by classic measurements based on global position, and the sun's seasonal position. Photoperiod length was also calculated based on reported values. All values were then averaged on a monthly basis.

For profile creation, where a desired spot on the map that was chosen happened to fall directly on top of a measured weather station, those temperature values were used. If a chosen spot was located away from an absolute weathet station spot, an extrapolated averaged value would be generated by comparing the three closest values measured by weather stations. Values were then averaged over a given month.

Algem PRO: 2000 microEinsteins (1 microEinstein = an irradiance equivalent to 1 micromole of photons per m2 area/s)

Algem HT24: 600 microEinsteins

Many marine and freshwater microalgae, diatoms, cyanobacteria and even some macroalgae (Ulva lactuca) have been successfully grown in the Algem PRO.

Please refer to our Resources page which includes Application Notes highlighting some specific examples and also the Publications list which demonstrates the breadth and depth of organisms and specific applications that have been explored using Algem PRO and Algem HT24.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions related to specific organisms.

The Algem PRO has a temperature specification of 4 degrees to 50 degrees C.

If a single 450W chiller is connected to three Algems, the low temperature spec is 8 degrees C.

If a single 450W chiller is connected to five Algems, the low temperature spec is 12 degrees C.

The suggested operating temperature range for Algems (i.e the temperature of the lab or working environment) is 10 degrees to 30 degrees. At working temperatures in excess of 30 degrees C, the chiller may struggle to efficiently support experiments that aim to deliver the low end of the Algem temperature specifications.

The Algem HT24 is designed to dropin to a shaking incubator which will determine the set temperature for a given experiment. Suggested temperatures would be between 10 degrees and 50 degrees C.

Algems are manufactured in the United Kingdom.

The Algem PRO pauses for 30 seconds every time there is a programmed optical density (OD) measurement.

The default setting is every 10 minutes. This can be changed in the profile editor software. We do not recommend setting OD reads any more frequently than every 5 minutes as, the pauses start to detract from the cultivation time and parameters.

Algem Instruments is a brand that operates wholly within and under Spicer Consulting Limited, a UK specialist electronics manufacturing company (www.spicerconsulting.com). The Algem trademarks are owned by Spicer Consulting Limited.

Algem manufacturing and instrument post-sales support is wholly managed by Spicer Consulting Limited under the direction of Andrew Spicer. 

The Algem family of labscale photobioreactors were originally developed within the Algenuity product offerings. Algenuity started its life as an operating R&D division of Spicer Consulting Limited before it spun off officially in 2020 to become Algenuity Limited.

Algenuity Limited is now part of the Algenuity Group of companies that includes Algenuity Limited (UK), Algenuity Holdings Limited (UK) and Algenuity BV (Netherlands).