Hampton Research OptiClear Cover Slide Circular 22 mm 150 Slides

Hampton Research HR8-082 OptiClear Cover Slide – Circular, 22 mm, Polycarbonate

The Hampton Research HR8-082 is a high-performance polycarbonate cover slide engineered for the precise requirements of macromolecular crystallization. Unlike standard glass coverslips, these OptiClear slides are manufactured from medical-grade polycarbonate, providing superior durability and a specialized surface chemistry that influences the contact angle of the crystallization drop. The 22 mm circular geometry is optimized for use with 24-well hanging drop crystallization plates, creating a secure, airtight seal when used in conjunction with vacuum grease or specialized sealants. Polycarbonate offers excellent optical clarity for microscopic observation while being virtually unbreakable, making it an ideal choice for high-volume screening environments and for the safe transport of harvested crystals. These slides are designed to provide a consistent, reproducible environment for the slow dehydration and equilibration required for high-quality crystal growth.

Technical Performance and Design

• Polycarbonate Material Advantage: Offers high chemical resistance to common crystallization buffers and precipitants. The material is more hydrophobic than untreated glass, often resulting in a more favorable drop shape for visualization and harvesting.

• 22 mm Precision Diameter: Specifically calibrated to provide maximum coverage over the reservoir of standard 24-well plates, ensuring a reliable vapor-diffusion seal.

• OptiClear Clarity: Despite being a polymer, the OptiClear formulation ensures high light transmission and low birefringence, allowing for clear identification of micro-crystals under polarized light.

• Lightweight and Durable: Polycarbonate slides do not chip or shatter like glass, reducing the risk of sample loss during handling or when "prying" slides open to harvest crystals.

Product Specifications

• Catalog Number: HR8-082

• Material: Polycarbonate

• Shape: Circular

• Diameter: 22 mm

• Thickness: ~0.5 mm (Standard for micro-manipulation)

• Quantity: Typically sold in packs of 500 or 1,000

Key Benefits & Applications

• Hanging Drop Vapor Diffusion: The primary tool for suspending the protein/precipitant drop over a reservoir, allowing for the controlled evaporation required to reach supersaturation.

• Polarized Light Microscopy: The low-strain nature of the polycarbonate allows for the use of cross-polarizers to differentiate between protein crystals and salt precipitates.

• High-Throughput Labs: The shatter-proof nature of polycarbonate makes these slides safer for use in labs with high turnover or for students who are new to delicate crystal manipulation.

• Cryo-Harvesting: Provides a stable platform for crystal harvesting; the slide can be placed on a microscope stage and manipulated without the fear of the cover slide cracking under the pressure of a probe.

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