Biolin QCM-D Instruments
QSense™ Pro
The QSense Pro Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring (QCM-D) is a high-throughput, fully automated system designed for large-scale QCM-D analysis. With its eight-channel capacity, precise liquid handling, and user-independent operation, the Pro enables efficient, reproducible measurements with minimal hands-on time. Engineered for productivity, it streamlines workflows while delivering high-quality, reliable data for advanced surface interaction studies.
Increased Productivity
Build custom multi-step recipes for up to 8 channels, boosting experimental throughput
Automation
Pre-program protocols for experiments and let the fully automated QSense Pro do the work for you
Parallel Experimentation
Evaluate several parameters such as surfaces, adsorbate concentration, and buffer solution, in parallel by utilizing syringe pumps on 4 channels
Reproducibility
Automated measurements, high-precision controls, and automatic mixing with sample gradients means less room for human error
Talk to an Instrumentation Specialist Today!
Fully-automated Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D)
The QSense Pro serves as a fully self-contained, high-throughput laboratory for surface and interfacial studies at the nanoscale. Delivering automated experiments across 8 measurement channels, the Pro is ideal for applications that demand efficiency, reproducibility, and minimal manual intervention. Featuring an autosampler for unattended operation, 96-well plate compatibility, and precise environmental control, the system streamlines large-scale screening of molecular interactions, adsorption kinetics, and surface modifications. The QSense Pro seamlessly integrates into lab workflows where stringent standards must be upheld, preventing cross-contamination and user-induced data variability, and provides an excellent solution for researchers in applications like pharmaceutical development or other R&D settings.
Measurable Phenomena
Adsorption
Desorption
Binding & interactions
Swelling
De-swelling, crosslinking & collapse
Degradation, corrosion & etching
QSense pro
QSense Applications
Pharmaceutical R&D
The QSense Pro delivers sub-nanogram level mass sensitivity, making it an indispensable tool for drug development. It has been used extensively by research scientists in the pharmaceutical industry to investigate lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug delivery systems, study drug-surface interactions, assess biocompatibility of therapeutics, and develop biosensors.
Biotechnology & Medical Devices
The label-free QCM-D technique is useful for simulating interactions and reactions taking place at surfaces and interfaces within the human body. Biomolecular interactions that have been studied using QCM-D include immune responses to surgical implants and biomaterials, antibody-antigen interactions, protein-DNA interactions and conformational changes, biomineralization, and fouling due to biofilm formation.
Cleaning & Detergents
QCM-D provides real-time insights into the removal of mass from a surface, which is ideal for studying the efficacy of cleaning products on hard surfaces. By flowing detergent formulations with different surfactant concentrations over a sensor coated in the material of interest (lipids, fat, grease, food, biofilms, soil, etc.) it is possible to quantify their cleaning performance. High temperature and/or high-pressure environments such as industrial cleaning tanks can be simulated using the QSense High Temperature/High Pressure Chamber.
Batteries & Energy Storage
QSense QCM-Ds can be connected to a potentiostat to enable Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (EQCM-D) experiments. EQCM-D allows in situ investigation of bulk and interfacial behaviors in batteries, fuel cells, and other energy systems, providing a better understanding of both the chemical reactions and mass transport taking place during their operation. One critical application of EQCM-D is furthering our understanding of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI), which is critical for improving Li-ion battery performance.
Electronics & Semiconductors
Semiconductor wafers undergo several treatments as part of the Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process to ensure they meet specifications and are prepared for subsequent photolithography and metallization steps. QCM-D can be used to gain a better understanding of the interactions taking place between the surface and slurry, the etching behavior of different slurry formulas, and the cleaning performance of post-CMP residue removal agents. Examples of available sensor coatings for CMP-related studies include: Cu, Co, W, Al, Sn, Si, SiO2, Si3N4, SiC, TEOS, polySi, Al2O3, CuO, SnO2, NiP, polyimide, and many more.
Food Science
QCM-D is a useful tool for food science applications ranging from food ingredient interactions to food engineering and processing, and food safety and storage. Various systems can be modeled using QCM-D, such as the human tongue and oral cavity, food manufacturing lines, and food packaging, to study the molecular interactions that affect food quality, appearance, sensory characteristics, shelf life, and more.
Polymers
When studying polymers, it is critical to understand both their mechanistic properties and their chemical attributes. QCM-D enables researchers to better understand the dynamic behavior of polymers, such as swelling or shrinking in response to stimuli like pH or salt concentration, by providing simultaneous measurements of mass and viscoelastic properties of the adsorbed polymer layer. The sensitivity and precision of QCM-D make it useful for investigating polymer adsorption, conformational changes, and stability of polymer layers under varying conditions.
QSense Pro
Product Features
Measurement Conditions
Flow Mode
Stagnant Mode
Liquid Phase
Low Temperature
Self contained lab
The QSense Pro is designed as a fully automated, self-contained system that streamlines QCM-D analysis with minimal manual intervention. There are integrated syringe pumps, an autosampler, and a built-in cleaning station for unattended operation and high-throughput measurements. The system efficiently handles sample preparation, liquid exchange, and sensor cleaning, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring reproducible results. With automation, researchers can focus on data analysis while the instrument runs experiments independently.
MASS SENSITIVITY & SIGNAL QUALITY
The QSense Pro combines advanced electronics with fully automated operation to ensure high signal quality and reproducible data. Its high-precision syringe pump system and optimized flow control contribute to consistent baseline stability and low-noise measurements. With QSense Decay Technology, high-resolution frequency and dissipation monitoring detect small changes in adsorbed or desorbed mass and thickness variations in soft films. With multi-channel measurement capability, the QSense Pro delivers high sensitivity and throughput for large-scale QCM-D analysis.
Correct & Repeatable Sensor Position
The QSense Pro achieves accurate and reproducible sensor positioning through automated sensor handling and precise liquid flow control. The fully automated system minimizes manual errors, leading to consistent and repeatable measurements. The 8-channel flow module supports simultaneous analysis while maintaining stable and high-quality data.
Fast & Precise Liquid Exchange
The QSense Pro features a fully automated liquid handling system with high-precision flow control for sharp sample exchange and minimal diffusion. Integrated syringe pumps deliver accurate and reproducible sample introduction, reducing user dependency and increasing throughput. Different flow rates can be run simultaneously over multiple sensors with the FlexiFlow feature for experimental flexibility. With a minimum sample volume requirement of just 50 µL per sensor, the system maximizes sample efficiency while preserving high data quality.
Exceptional Temperature Range, Stability, & Resolution
The QSense Pro features a temperature-controlled measurement chamber with a range of 4 °C to 70 °C, sustaining stable conditions for accurate QCM-D measurements. With long-term temperature stability of ±0.02 °C per hour, it minimizes thermal fluctuations that could affect results. The system is also compatible with an external thermostat-controlled water bath for further refinement. This precise thermal regulation guarantees reliable data for studying surface interactions, molecular adsorption, and viscoelastic properties.
MEASUREMENT OF MULTIPLE HARMONICS
QCM-D is an acoustic-based technique, which involves the measurement of frequency and dissipation parameters to characterize mass changes and viscoelasticity in thin film systems. Measuring the fundamental frequency is a given in QCM, but measuring multiple overtones (harmonics) provides a deeper understanding of the adsorbed layer, especially if it is soft (viscoelastic) rather than rigid. All QSense systems measure multiple harmonics, up to the 13th overtone. To learn more about the value of measuring multiple harmonics during QCM experiments, read our White Paper:
Widest Range of Sensor Surfaces
Having your material of interest on the surface of the sensor is a prerequisite to achieving your research goals with QCM-D. QSense offers over 100 different sensor surfaces, including common metals, polymers, ceramics, and glass used across various industries, sulfides and oxides, functionalized surfaces, and custom options for exotic materials.
Application Support & Local Service
In the US and Canada, the QSense QCM-D products are supported and serviced by Nanoscience Instruments. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional application support and field service, ensuring your team of users is well-trained and the instrument is up and running in optimal condition. Whether you are interested in discussing the feasibility of a specific experiment or need help with troubleshooting your QSense system, our Support teams are here for you!
QSense Pro
Product Accessories
QSENSE MODULES
The QSense QCM-D systems come equipped with standard flow modules, which enables a wide variety of aqueous and gas-phase experiments. Many other specialized modules are available to support experiments that require the use of additional technologies.
QSensors
QSense Pro
Qsense Software
QSOFT
QSoft is the data acquisition software used with the QSense Pro. It has a straightforward interface for setting up and running QCM-D experiments with control over temperature, flow, and measurement parameters. Real-time data visualization helps monitor frequency and dissipation changes throughout the experiment.
DFind | Analyze the Data
The QSense DFind software helps to streamline data analysis by integrating data preparation, modeling, analysis, and reporting into one convenient platform. Featuring a step-by-step, guided modeling process and vast library of sensor surface materials, QSense DFind simplifies data interpretation and removes many of the perceived barriers to QCM-D analysis. DFind also supports simultaneous multi-dataset analysis, making it particularly useful for research that involves comparing or combining data from multiple different experiments.
Discover QSense DFind and learn tips and tricks from the QCM-D experts at Biolin Scientific:
QSense Pro
Product Knowledgebase
Webinar
Molecular Scale Adsorption Behavior of Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) on Model Surfaces
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging contaminants of concern owing to…
Blog
Advanced Automation Features of QSense Omni for Maximizing Efficiency
Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) has revolutionized surface…
White Paper
Optimizing Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) Processes with QCM-D
Chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), also called chemical-mechanical polishing, is a c…